By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A Power Cross coach was charged with misdemeanor child abuse after police said he allowed a boy to beat up another boy while he watched.

Anthony Darnell Shegog, 24, of the 100 block of South Metropolitan Avenue, Statesville, was arrested Saturday after an extensive investigation that stemmed from a September complaint from a parent.

On Sept. 24, a mother filed a complaint with the Salisbury Police to say that her 10-year-old son was beaten up by an 11-year-old boy. Both boys attend regular activities offered by Power Cross Ministries in Salisbury, said Police Detective Russ DeSantis. Power Cross is a mentorship and ministry program that serves boys and places a focus on sports.

The 10-year-old victim, along with others, witnessed a fight among some older boys. According to the boy, Anthony Shegog approached him to ask why he did not report the fight or break it up. One of the reasons, the boy said, was because it was a fight among older boys.

According to an arrest warrant, Shegog told the boy, “What if I just watch you get into a fight.”

DeSantis said, after looking at a video and talking with the boys involved, it was determined Shegog told “a much bigger boy” to get answers about the fight from the victim.

According to the older child, Shegog told him to do anything to get the 10-year-old to say what happened with the fight, DeSantis said.

The older boy went into an office, where the 10-year-old was and punched him several times while Shegog watched from the office window, according to police.

Shegog told police he did not tell the child to hit the 10-year-old, but police said Shegog watched the two boys and did nothing to stop it.

The older boy told police he believed his coach’s instructions meant for him to beat up the younger boy. The 10-year-old said the older boy just came into the office and began punching him. The assault occurred for about two minutes, until Shegog is seen in video footage entering the office and the older boy leaves.

DeSantis said the boy did not have serious injuries. Following the investigation, Shegog was removed from the Salisbury Power Cross location and placed at the Statesville location, DeSantis said. The Post is working to determine whether Shegog is located at the Statesville facility and if he is still employed by Power Cross.

Shegog was issued a written promise to appear in court on Dec. 11.

Shegog is listed as the director of football operations, according to the ministry website.