A 34-year-old man from rural Stanton was arrested by the Stanton County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday afternoon. The arrest came after an investigation into alleged child abuse, with suspicion of the man beating a 10-year-old boy with a belt.
According to a press release by sheriff Mike Unger, Raymond Villa is accused of repeatedly striking the child at his Stanton residence last week. The 10-year-old has no familial connection to Villa and was temporarily staying at the residence with his father. According to the sheriff, the child had marks and bruises on his lower body.
Villa is also suspected of hitting a 13-year-old child with the same belt. He was detained until a bond could be set for the felony charge. According to Unger, the child was taken out of the residence and placed under the care of his mother.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services also provided assistance during the investigation.