An Akron father is accused of beating his 5-year-old daughter for failing to recognize parts of the alphabet, police said.
Christopher D. Curry, 39, is charged with felonious assault, child endangering and domestic violence. His daughter, a kindergartner, was taken to Akron Children’s Hospital on Tuesday with multiple bruises and cuts, including a nearly swollen shut left eye. Her condition Thursday was not available.
A family friend who came home to find the girl beaten and bruised said the child has since been released from the hospital and is recovering from her injuries. She is a student at Edge Academy.
Veronica Bell called Akron police when she saw the girl’s injuries. Curry and his daughter live at Bell’s home.
“When I came home it was nothing that nobody wanted to see, especially when it comes to a 5-year-old,” Bell said. “I don’t feel it’s right. She’s only 5. Her face was all messed up. I went crazy and called police.”
According to Akron police, the 5-foot-10, 297-pound Curry became angry when his daughter struggled to recognize the letter D while doing schoolwork inside their Douglas Street home Tuesday night.
Police said he lifted the girl by her neck and struck her in the head multiple times. He also whipped the girl with a belt, witnesses told police.
Officers called to the home about 10:30 p.m. found the girl screaming and crying. She had knots on her head and a cut lip, according to the report.
Bell said Curry had spanked the child before, “But I never thought he’d take it this far.”
After the attack, she said, Curry sat silent.
“He just sat there like nothing was wrong,” she said.
Curry was booked into the Summit County Jail on Wednesday and was being held on a $100,000 bond set in Akron Municipal Court. Summit County Children Services was contacted.
Phil Trexler can be reached at 330-996-3717 or ptrexler@thebeaconjournal.com.
