Austin police officer arrested, accused of child abuse

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) – Police in Cedar Park have arrested an Austin police officer on two charges of Injury to a Child, the Cedar Park Police Department confirmed with KXAN.

Cameron Caldwell turned himself into the Williamson County Jail Friday morning, according to CPPD. Investigators said the charges stem from an incident that happened at Caldwell’s home.

Court documents state prosecutors believe Caldwell in one case “did then and there intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to… a child by striking his buttocks and face with the defendant’s hand, or throwing his body into his bed,” and in another case “did then and there intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to… a child by striking his face with the defendant’s hand, or striking his body by throwing a toy at him.”

Caldwell’s attorney Brad Heilman said he looks “forward to seeing the evidence and defending Officer Caldwell through the court process.”

The Austin Police Department, per standard protocol, has placed Caldwell on restricted duty and has launched an administrative investigation into Caldwell’s case.

“The Austin Police Department is aware of a criminal investigation involving Officer Cameron Caldwell. Our Department is cooperating with the investigating agency, the Cedar Park Police Department,” APD said in a statement.

In 2016, APD suspended Caldwell for about six weeks after he pepper sprayed a man police arrested during SXSW. No charges came from that incident.

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