Muskogee Man Allegedly Beats 4-Year-Old With Dog Leash

Muskogee Police arrested a man they say beat his 4-year-old stepson using a nylon and metal dog leash. The boy's mother was also taken into custody.

Officers say they were called to a home in the 2000 block of Elgin after a witness said a child was injured. They found a 4-year-old boy playing by himself in the front yard of the home. He had severe bruising and lacerations, according to Corporal Michael Mahan with the Muskogee Police Department.

Officers went into the home which was described as being covered in dirt and debris with several bugs visible.

They arrested Rodney Robinson, 19, for allegedly assaulting the child with a nylon dog leash that had a metal clip on the end. The boy's mother, 22-year-old Judyth Howe, was also taken into custody.

Her other two sons, ages 5 and 2, were removed from the home as was a 2-month-old baby girl that belongs to both Robinson and Howe. Police say the biological father of the three boys is believed to be in prison.

The 4-year-old boy had a cut under his eye, severe bruising and lacerations from his waistline to an area above his right knee. He had had lacerations on the right side of his back and inner thigh.

Robinson was booked on complaints of child endangerment, child abuse by injury and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Howe was arrested on complaints of child endangerment and child abuse by injury.