A belt to a Sioux Falls child's backside brings a felony charge

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A Sioux Falls man is accused of hitting a 6 year old nephew on the backside with a belt and faces a felony charge of abuse or cruelty of a minor.

     Officer Sam Clemens says a witness told police they saw 39 year old Chan John hit two children with a belt.

     Clemens says John was walking with his two nephews and an eight year old niece.  He says the four were walking near 7th and Main when a witness says John hit two of the children with a belt when they were failling behind.  The witness called police and follwed them to where oficers made contact at 10th and Main. 

     Clemens says John denies hitting any of the kids.  Just one of the kids says he was hit with a belt.

     They were not injured and were turned over to their mother.