Fairview Heights man charged with child abuse

A 43-year-old Fairview Heights man has been charged with battery of a child for allegedly beating an 8-year-old with a belt.

Montez A. Coleman was charged Tuesday by the St. Clair County State’s Attorney.

The charges state that he struck a child, identified as A.M., repeatedly with a belt about his body.

The charge is a class 3 felony punishable by two to five years in prison.

Coleman’s bail was set at $20,000. The case was investigated by the Fairview Heights police.

This story was originally published June 2, 2015 at 11:48 PM with the headline "Fairview Heights man charged with child abuse."