MOUNT VERNON — A Knox County Sheriff’s deputy has been charged with first-degree misdemeanor domestic violence and endangering children.
The charges stem from Deputy Kreig Cline, 35, disciplining his 8-year-old son Feb. 21, causing deep bruising to the juvenile’s backside, according to Mount Vernon Municipal Court records.
KCSO took the initial report and transferred the case to the Mount Vernon Police Department for further investigation to avoid conflict of interest. Knox County Children’s Services was also alerted.
A children’s protective safety plan was established for the boy and Cline is to have no further physical contact with him at this time, according to court records.
The child’s mother told an MVPD detective that Cline had admitted to disciplining their son which led to her later checking her son’s backside. After observing the bruises, she took him to the hospital and filed a report.
Cline had disciplined the child before in a similar manner without leaving any marks, according to the mother’s statement to the detective.
Cline has been placed on administrative leave since the incident, according to Sheriff David Shaffer. On March 3, Cline will be assigned to administrative duties with an internal investigation and any disciplinary action pending.
Shaffer told the News that Cline has been an employee at the sheriff’s office since 2007.
