Jefferson County father has been charged after allegedly kicking his son in the stomach

SUMMERVILLE, Pa. (EYT) — A Summerville man is facing criminal charges for allegedly kicking his son in the stomach in a May incident that left the child vomiting and suffering bruises, Punxsutawney-based state police said.

Christopher Michael ThompsonThe 35-year-old was charged with simple assault, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment after state trooper Joseph Dipietro launched a months-long investigation.

According to court documents, the case began when state police received a Childline report of a child who had been kicked in the stomach. During a forensic interview at the Jefferson County Children’s Advocacy Center, the victim told investigators that he was playing with his brother when his father kicked him in the stomach, causing him to vomit.

Medical records from June 3 documented “subacute bruising” on the child’s abdomen, police said.

The criminal complaint also details two other alleged incidents, including one in which Thompson allegedly force-fed the child french fries and another in which he pulled the child from bed.

When questioned by state police in July, Thompson denied kicking the child, instead claiming the boy tripped over his outstretched leg and fell onto a couch.

Thompson is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 22 before District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak.