Oakland Co. Man Beats, Chokes 9-Year-Old Son: Sheriff

PONTIAC, MI — An Oakland County man is facing child abuse charges after beating and choking his 9-year-old son last week, according to the sheriff's office.

Cedric Diequell-Stevens Moore, 38, of Pontiac, was charged with second and fourth-degree child abuse. He was placed in the Oakland County Jail with a $100,000 bond.

Officials said the incident happened last Thursday at Moore’s home in the 100 block of S. Edith St. in Pontiac.

Moore left the home to go to the store, leaving the 9-year-old boy and a 1-year-old alone inside the house, officials said.

That's when the boy went to a neighbor's home and asked for help, and the homeowner called police, officials said.

When officers arrived at the home, officials said they found the boy with multiple injuries, including welts on the boy’s torso and severe abrasions to his right eye and around his neck.

The boy told officers his dad beat him with a belt on his face, back, legs and buttocks, and struck him with a broom handle before choking him until he passed out, officials said.

The boy said his dad told him, "It’s gonna happen all night," before he left for the store, officials said.

Officials said the boy told officers his dad was mad at him for falling asleep on the couch.

The boy told deputies his baby brother was crying because he was hungry, and Moore "threw" the 1-year-old into his crib.

Officers also discovered the infant had healed cigarette burns on his back and legs, officials said.

Officers arrested Moore in connection with the incident later Thursday at a relative's home. Officials said Moore told the relative that he had been "whooping" his son for stealing.

The 9-year-old was taken to a hospital where he was in stable condition, officials said.

The 1-year-old was given to a relative by Child Protective Services, officials said.