Indiana dad smeared spicy mustard in son's wounds, police say

MUNCIE, Ind. - A Muncie, Ind., father is accused of beating his 12-year-old son and then smearing spicy mustard in the boy's wounds.

Juanis Ali Kirksey, 41, was arrested Thursday on preliminary charges of battery resulting in serious bodily injury, neglect of a dependent and resisting law enforcement, the Star Press reported.

Officers were called to Kirksey's apartment in the 400 block of East Main Street after neighbors reported hearing a child being beaten.

Kirksey initially wouldn't allow police inside, saying, "I just disciplined my child, (and) that's not against the law," according to a police report.

Officers found the 12-year-old suffering from welts and scratches on his arms, back, chest, hands, buttocks and legs.

Spicy mustard had been spread on the boy's right arm from his wrist up past his elbow, according to the police report.

The boy's 9-year-old sister told police the beating happened after her brother asked their father to turn down the TV.

The girl said her father wrote her a note asking her to go into a bathroom and put on headphones while he disciplined her brother, according to the police report.

The boy was treated at Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital. He and his sister have been placed in the care of their mother, in Anderson.

Kirksey was being held without bond in the Delaware County Jail on Monday.