White Plains father charged with child abuse

Allegedly whipped son with electrical cord leaving bruises

A 41-year-old White Plains man was charged with child abuse for allegedly physically assaulting his son in their home.

Kenyata Luluumba Stevenson, 41, of White Plains has been charged with second-degree child abuse and second-degree assault.

On Dec. 13, the defendant’s son, the victim, spoke with a Charles County Sheriff’s Office deputy, stating that between Nov. 26-27 his father got upset with him and allegedly whipped him with an electrical chord on his legs and back and punched him in the chest, according to charging documents.

The officer examined the victim’s legs, in which he found bruises on his right leg and upper right thigh, consistent with the type of wounds a cord would leave. There was also about a 2-inch area of bruises, which was recently an open wound, where the victim said he was hit by the cord.

The officer also saw bruising on the victim’s back that were the same as those on his leg, as well as a laceration on his back.

The victim told the officer that he did not report the assault when it first happened because he was afraid he would receive another similar punishment.

On Dec. 14, the officer spoke with Stevenson at the Charles County Sheriff’s Office station. He originally said that he did not wish to make a statement; however, after further conversation, Stevenson allegedly said that on the day of the incident, his intent was trying to “wake up his son” for his attitude, according to charging documents.