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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; A man is facing charges after police allege he physically abused a boy.</p><p>Jermain Keith Jones, 27, of South Franklin Street, faces charges of aggravated assault on a victim less than 13 years of age, recklessly endangering another person, and endangering the welfare of children.</p><p>According to the criminal complaint, officers were notified of the alleged child abuse at 9:20 p.m. on Sept. 14.</p><p>Officers made contact with the juvenile victim at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. The Times Leader does not identify victims of child abuse.</p><p>Police allege there were several scars on the victims legs, and that while some were completely healed, some were scabbed and still healing. There were also several scars on the boy&#8217;s back, according to police, and officers took photos of the boy&#8217;s injuries.</p><p>The boy was interviewed by staff members of the Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center. The boy allegedly told staff members that on at least one occasion, Jones woke him up, told him to strip naked, then beat him with what was described as black extension wire as the boy lay on his stomach.</p><p>During the interview, the boy told staff members Jones &#8220;hits me if I don&#8217;t listen&#8221; or &#8220;if I be bad at school.</p><p>In another alleged instance, the boy said Jones struck him several times after looking at his report card from school.</p><p>The boy also alleged that Jones and his ex-girlfriend used what was described as a &#8220;big black belt&#8221; to beat him.</p><p>During an interview with police, both Jones and his ex-girlfriend said they were staying at their apartment from July until the allegations were made. Both also denied physically disciplining the boy or witnessing anyone else physically disciplining the boy.</p><p>Police also said neither Jones nor his ex-girlfriend could explain how the child sustained the injuries, and that they claimed to not know about them until the allegations were made.</p><p>Jones was arraigned on his charges before District Judge Rick Cronauer on Tuesday, and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Cronauer at 9 a.m. on Jan. 3.</p><p>Jones is free on $10,000 unsecured bail.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Travis Kellar</p><p>tkellar@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Police: Man accused of beating child with wire, belt