MICHIGAN — An 11-year-old girl was in tears as she testified in court how her father beat her with frozen bacon, while he quoted the Bible to justify the attack.
The girl claimed she was attacked by Jonathan Powell, aged 45, for over 10 minutes during which he said: ‘It’s ok to do that, it’s from the Bible. If you spare the rod, you spoil the child.’
He has been charged with one count of third-degree child abuse after he was accused of hitting his daughter multiple times at his Michigan home.
While the daughter was giving evidence, she was shown pictures showing marking on her face taken two days after the attack on January 8th.
She then told Bay County Assistant Prosecutors: ‘He was hitting me with his elbows, his upper arms and his hands.
‘He was hitting me with frozen bacon and he was pushing me back and I fell right over the dishwater.’
Police were alerted to the abuse after the 11-year-old girl was returned to her mother who was concerned after she discovered bruises.
He could face up to two years in jail if he in convicted.
He has denied the charges and remains free on bond.
