Police accuse Iowa City man of abusing 3-year-old

An Iowa City man is accused of abusing a 3-year-old boy and the boy's mother is accused of taking the child into hiding to avoid a Department of Human Resources investigation.

According to Iowa City police criminal complaints, on July 15, 28-year-old Aaron K. Thomas spanked the 3-year-old victim. The boy – who police said is hearing impaired - suffered “extensive bruising” on his backside and lower back.

Police said the boy's relatives noticed his injuries the next day and called the police. Officers made contact with Thomas, who admitted to hitting the boy, but said he did not injure him. Thomas also allegedly told police that he “knows the law” and that he could not be charged if there was no evidence of injury after 24 hours.

The investigation was impaired by the boy's mother, 24-year-old Page L. Gerard. Police said they tried to contact Gerard after a joint police-DHS child abuse investigation was launched. Gerard ignored two text messages asking her to bring the boy into the evaluated and also told a detective she was out of town, police said.

Police said Gerard never left town and was found hiding in Iowa City on July 19. Gerard admitted to hiding and keeping her child from the police and DHS, according to the criminal complaint.

Thomas and Gerard were both taken into custody. Thomas faces one count of child endangerment causing bodily injury. Gerard faces one count of obstruction.

Iowa City police Sgt. Vicki Lalla said the boy has been placed with relatives, but remains under DHS custody.