Round Lake Park cop accused of paddling, injuring 5-year-old

A veteran Round Lake Park police officer was arrested Saturday after he was accused of paddling and injuring his girlfriend's daughter, authorities said.

Wayman G. Vela, 55, of the 21600 block of West Grass Lake Road near Antioch, was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery.

Vela repeatedly struck the 5-year-old girl on the lower back with a paddle, Lake County sheriff's police said.

The girl was taken to a hospital for medical treatment.

The abuse first was reported to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, which contacted the sheriff's office Friday.

Vela has been a police officer in Round Lake Park since 2000. He has been placed on unpaid administrative leave and his police powers have been revoked, Chief George Filenko said. An internal investigation has been launched, too, Filenko said.

Vela is being held in the Lake County jail, with bail set at $10,000. He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning.