AURORA - An Aurora Police office is under investigation for misdemeanor child abuse. The Adams County District Attorney's office has filed charges against Office Mark Ronan, accusing him of knowingly and recklessly causing an injury to a middle school boy.
According to the Adams County Sheriff's report, Officer Ronan was a chaperone at a school dance April 23, at the Bennett Middle School.
The report says the officer's wife overheard the boy swearing on the cell phone, and told him to stop. When the boy replied he could say what he wanted, the report says Officer Ronan grabbed the boy by his face, covering his mouth and put him in a arm lock and pushed him against the wall.
The reprt says the Officer then grabbed the boy around the neck, choking him and then kneed the boy in the groin, "causing physical pain." A witness told investigators she was so concerned she was on the verge of calling 911 to report what she considered an assault. She told investigators the officer had no right to do what he did, because the boy didn't confront or resist him at all.
The school superintendent says he can't comment because of the investigation, but says the officer was not a chaperone and was there to pick up his own daughter from the dance.
The Aurora Police Department says it cannot comment either, but says the officer remains on regular patrol duties pending the outcome of the criminal case.
The boy's family says they did not want to talk on camera, saying he's pretty upset.
Officer Ronan did not return our call.
According to the Adams County Sheriff's report, Officer Ronan was a chaperone at a school dance April 23, at the Bennett Middle School.
The report says the officer's wife overheard the boy swearing on the cell phone, and told him to stop. When the boy replied he could say what he wanted, the report says Officer Ronan grabbed the boy by his face, covering his mouth and put him in a arm lock and pushed him against the wall.
The reprt says the Officer then grabbed the boy around the neck, choking him and then kneed the boy in the groin, "causing physical pain." A witness told investigators she was so concerned she was on the verge of calling 911 to report what she considered an assault. She told investigators the officer had no right to do what he did, because the boy didn't confront or resist him at all.
The school superintendent says he can't comment because of the investigation, but says the officer was not a chaperone and was there to pick up his own daughter from the dance.
The Aurora Police Department says it cannot comment either, but says the officer remains on regular patrol duties pending the outcome of the criminal case.
The boy's family says they did not want to talk on camera, saying he's pretty upset.
Officer Ronan did not return our call.
