ROWAN COUNTY — A man arrested on Thursday is charged with two counts of felony child abuse stemming from an August report to the Stanly County Department of Social Services.

The man, Christopher Dane Coogan, 38, also faces one felony count of indecent liberties with a child. He was placed into the Rowan County Detention Center on a $35,000 bond. 

According to a Friday press release, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office received the report on Aug. 31. It referenced possible child abuse that occurred in Rowan County.  

The report included photographic evidence which displayed a large, handprint bruise on the hip and buttocks of a minor child who was allegedly in Coogan’s care at the time.  

According to the release, during an initial contact with the child as well as a forensic interview, disclosures were made stating that the bruise was the result of Coogan spanking the child.

Subsequent to this case, additional information opened another abuse investigation regarding a different minor child residing in the home and also in Coogan’s care. 

During that investigation disclosures were made that an incident occurred where Coogan allegedly struck the minor child in the head with a highchair tray, which resulted in a large two-inch laceration to the child’s head.  

There was an additional disclosure which stated that there was a sexual act that took place in the home during this time involving the child.