Robert Benjamin Cryer is charged with child abuse, a Class C felony, in district court in Stanley. He made an initial appearance on Monday before Judge Todd Cresap.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed with the court, Cryer said he had disciplined the girl because he believed she had not been truthful regarding who she was out with the previous night. He told police he tried to strike the girl with the belt on her buttocks, but she ran from him and was also struck elsewhere as he chased her with the belt. The teenager called Social Services about the incident.

– Andrea Johnson