Buckeye man arrested, accused of whipping child with a belt

BUCKEYE, Ariz. (FOX 10) -- Buckeye Police officials say a 39-year-old man is accused of whipping a child with a belt.

According to a statement released Wednesday afternoon, Robert Sumler is facing felony aggravated assault on a minor and felony child abuse charges. Police officials say officers responded to an elementary school at around 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, after school staff observed injuries on a juvenile girl. Police later received information that the girl was hit with a belt by Sumler, who is her father, the night before.

According to police officials, police saw several large belt strike marks on the girl's legs and arms that were welted and bruised. Later on, Sumler admitted to hitting the girl in the butt and legs with his belt as discipline, because he was notified that the girl had gotten in trouble at school. Sumler also said he was not aware of the injuries caused, as the girl was wearing pants at the time.