Police: Child's video revealed stepfather's abuse of sibling

A child captured on video his stepfather beating his sibling, leading to the stepfather being arrested and charged with child abuse, according to Scott City police.

Scott City police arrested Anthony Wayne Harris, 40, of Scott City, on Monday. The Scott County prosecuting attorney's office charged Harris with felony counts of second-degree domestic assault, child abuse and felonious restraint.

The children's biological father told Scott City police about the beating Monday and said it was not the first time his children were struck by Harris, according to probable-cause statement filed by Scott City police officer Kenneth Massa.

The father gave Massa a video of the incident from one child's phone that was taken at the stepfather's residence on Country Club Drive, Massa wrote.

The video showed Harris holding the 12-year-old child by the legs, then by the chin, according to the statement. Harris then struck the child's throat repeatedly with an open hand, Massa wrote. Harris punched the child in the back, pulled the child's head back and slapped the child in the face several times, according to the statement.

Massa arrested Harris on the front lawn of his house at Country Club Drive, according to the statement.

The children's mother said she became aware of the video Monday morning and was upset with Harris, Massa wrote.

Harris signed a Miranda waiver before he was interviewed by police and said he was just playing, according to the statement.

"I know it looks bad," the stepfather said, according to the statement.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address: Country Club Drive, Scott City, MO.