Bonne Terre teacher accused of child abuse - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

A Bonne Terre teacher is accused of abusing a child in his home.

James R. Walker Jr., 37, of St. Francois County, is charged with abuse of a child. He was charged in late July.

According to the probable cause statement, a young child was found with bright red and purple markings on his face, and buttocks down to his knees and the backside of his legs in November 2010. Other children in the home told the child's mother that Walker hit the child because he did not eat a corn dog.

Walker is accused of advising the child's mother to keep the boy away from other family, church, and people that may report  the bruising for two week until the bruising went away.

In May 2011, the boy told hit mother his head hurt and that Walker hit him in the head. On another occasion, the boy complained his head hurt and say Walker pulled his hair. Another child in the home told the boy's mother Walker had pulled the boy across the kitchen floor by his hair because the boy would not eat his banana.

According to the probable cause statement, Walker admitted to the boy's mother that he hat pulled the boy by the hair in the kitchen.

Before November 16, 2011, the boy reported to his mother that Walker hit his head on the house. The boy told her he had thrown up and Walker had not let him back into the house.

The boy also told his mom around November 15, 2011 that when Walker gave him a bath Walker hurt his throat and demonstrated how by choking his mother's throat with his hands.

The boy has undergone counseling for the abuse.

Walker is an industrial arts teacher at North County High School in Bonne Terre. Superintendent Dr. Yancy Poorman says Walker is on suspension until further notice.