An Amesbury, Massachusetts police officer faced a judge Tuesday for allegedly beating his 14-year-old autistic son.
Larry Bybee is charged with two counts of assault and battery on a child, according to the Essex District Attorney's Office. He was ordered to stay away from his children, alcohol and drugs during his arraignment on Tuesday morning in Salem District Court.
According to court documents, the alleged incident happened at Bybee's home in Amesbury on June 13. It was reported to the New Hampshire Division of Children, Youth and Families the following day since Bybee's son lives in New Hampshire half of the time with Bybee's ex-wife.
NBC10 Boston reached the boy's mother by phone. She said she's "at a loss for words" over the incident.
Bybee was drunk when he gave his son a bloody nose, the court documents state. He then allegedly followed his son into the bathroom and shoved his head against the wall three times.
"How can I trust him to protect our children when he's accused of something like that?" asked Bybee's neighbor, Rose Elyse.
His son told police that the incident started over an issue with a milk container. Bybee allegedly made fun of his son's speech impediment and called him several derogatory names.
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Bybee has been with the Amesbury Police Department since 1997 and was named a school resource officer in 2014. He is on administrative leave with pay.
Bybee is due back in court July 12 for a pretrial hearing.
