Mt. Pleasant man allegedly abuses child in front of crowd of beach goers.

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GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — A felony child abuse warrant has been issued by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office for a 37-year-old Mount Pleasant man who allegedly dragged his 5-year-old adopted son into Silver Lake and forcibly held his head under water repeatedly in front of a crowd of beach goers Wednesday, July 13, shortly after 5 p.m., according to Lt. Craig Mast.

An Oceana County Deputy was dispatched to the Silver Lake State Park day-use swimming area to investigate a possible case of child abuse. “Upon arrival there, the deputy found that a crowd of people had witnessed a 37-year-old Mount Pleasant man drag his 5-year-old adopted son into Silver Lake and forcibly hold his head under water repeatedly.”

“Several civilians who witnessed it then stepped forward and intervened in an effort to ensure the child wasn’t harmed. After interviewing several upset witnesses, the suspect, and his wife, he was arrested,” Mast said.

A felony warrant charging the suspect with one count of first-degree child abuse and one count of fourth-degree child abuse has been issued. The suspect has bonded out on an interim bond and has not yet been arraigned. He will be be arraigned Wednesday, July 20, and his name and mugshot will be released.