Uncle charged with child abuse

photo Kendall Reed, 35, was charged with child abuse after he allegedly beat his 17-year-old niece during an argument, according to Chattanooga Police Department.

A 35-year-old man is charged with child abuse after school officials discovered his niece with two black eyes, abrasions, a broken nose and hair missing from her head.

Kendall Lebron Reed was arrested Sunday at his residence at 1207 N. Chamberlain Ave., according to Chattanooga police reports. He is charged with misdemeanor assault, said police spokeswoman Sgt. Jerri Weary, but those may be upgrade given the extent of the injuries.

His next court date is set for May 10. He was released on his own recognizance.

The 17-year-old girl was assaulted March 6, and began after she had contact with someone on a cell phone she was not supposed to contact, according to Weary.

The teen told police Reed grabbed by her hair on the back of her head, choked her, beat her with a belt wrapped around his fist, then stomped on her head.

The girl, a student at Ivy Academy, was absent for a few days and returned to school with the injuries, Weary said.

Reed, who goes by the name "Aunt Shon," began caring for the teen after Juvenile Court awarded him custody, police said.

The teen now is staying with other family members, Weary said.

In interviews with authorities, Reed said he pushed the teen away from him, police said.

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