By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Rowan County Sheriff’s Office detectives are looking into reports of physical abuse of a 7-year-old boy by the boyfriend of the child’s mother.

Derrick Leon Thomas, 51, of the 100 block of Stockade Court, is charged with misdemeanor assault on a child.

Rowan authorities were called about 12:40 a.m. Feb. 27 to the Novant Health Rowan Medical Center emergency department, where the child’s grandmother had brought the boy. Hospital officials say it appeared the child had been beaten with a belt.

The boy had red marks on his upper right arm, right thigh and left shoulder and marks on his chest, and lower back, according to a report.

The grandmother told investigators she was helping the child take a bath and noticed the marks. The Rowan County Department of Social Services was contacted and placed the child with the grandmother.

Officials said the child received the injuries while at his mother’s apartment.

Thomas was issued a $1,500 secured bond and was released from the Rowan County Detention Center.