Cops: Aurora man beat 7-year-old boy with belt

An Aurora man was behind bars Tuesday on charges he beat his 7-year-old son with a belt for acting out at school, police said.

Zachariah E. Hadnott, 37, is charged with one count of aggravated battery to a child, a Class 3 felony.

Aurora Police Lt. Pete Inda said officers responded to Hadnott's apartment on the 2000 block of Fox Pointe Drive about 3:30 p.m. Monday for a report of a child who was severely beaten.

Inda said the victim had been struck with a belt 20 to 30 times, apparently as punishment for acting out at school. He said the boy was treated at Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora and later placed with a relative.

"There was some bruising across his body, back, buttocks and face," Inda said. Police said Hadnott is the boy's father or stepfather. He was taken to bond call Tuesday, where a judge set bail at $20,000. Hadnott would need to pay $2,000 to be released.

If convicted, Hadnott could face two to five years in prison or probation. His next court date is Oct. 12.