POLKTON — A Polkton man was charged with child abuse after authorities say he attacked two children.
Marcus John Dennison, 26, was arrested on March 31, accused of assaulting an 8-year-old girl and a boy under age 16 on March 27.
Dennison allegedly slapped the 8-year-old’s cheek and kept “poking her forehead with his finger,” according to the arrest warrant.
He is accused of scratching and punching the male child, “grabbing the victim with his hands by the throat and holding him down on the bed,” according to the warrant. The abuse allegedly resulted in a scratch and swelling on the child’s head.
When a woman tried to call 911, Dennison allegedly disconnected the phone modem to prevent her from calling.
Dennison is charged with assault and battery, interfering with emergency communications and assault on a child under 12, all misdemeanors, as well as two counts of misdemeanor child abuse.
He is being held in the Anson County Jail under a combined $13,500 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court April 14.
His conditions of release include providing fingerprints, not communicating with the prosecuting witness or victims and avoiding the home, school, day care and churches that the children frequent.
Dennison received a suspended sentence of probation and community service in 2011 after being convicted of possessing and attempting to sell marijuana in Anson County in 2010, according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety.
All suspects facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.