By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Jerry Michael Flowers

KENDALLVILLE — A Mishawaka man was arrested after allegedly battering a young, autistic child.

Jerry Michael Flowers, 46, Mishawaka, is charged with battery resulting in bodily injury to a disabled person, a level 5 felony.

On April 9, a Kendallville Police officer went to a local hospital regarding a child being battered. Upon arrival at the scene, the officer spoke with a woman who said the child was dropped off at her home with bruising all over their body.

According to court documents, the child had very severe bruising to their buttocks area and upper legs, and red marks and scratches around their neck and upper arm area.

A second woman said she was at a residence with Flowers and the child when the woman heard a cracking noise, followed by the child screaming and crying. The woman said Flowers spanked the child on more than two occasions. The child is autistic and non-verbal.

Flowers told a detective he only spanked the child one time with his hand.

For this case, Flowers was booked in the Noble County Jail on April 9.