A US law enforcement officer faces criminal charges for
allegedly pepper-spraying his girlfriend’s 13-year-old son because the boy
stayed in bed instead of going to school.
WRAE-TV reports that Pennsylvania state trooper Ernest
Boatright faces a preliminary hearing on 22 January, on child endangerment and
harassment charges.
According to court records, Boatright found the teen still
in bed when he was supposed to be in school, so he discharged his pepper spray
in to the bedroom, it has been claimed.
Boatright told investigators that he had pepper-sprayed two
cats on an enclosed porch, but it is alleged that the boy told police Boatright
sprayed the chemical into his room in April. The boy also reportedly told
police that it was not the first time the man had pepper-sprayed him.
His attorney, Matthew Zatko, said Boatright “vehemently
denies the charges that have been filed against him. He is very much looking
forward to the opportunity to defend himself and clear his name".
WRAE-TV reports that officials at the Pennsylvania State
Police said that Boatright has been a trooper since 1989. He is assigned to the
New Stanton barracks but has been placed on leave without pay, since he was charged
with endangering the welfare of children and harassment