Iowa City man accused of striking 14-year-old boy

An Iowa City man is accused of assault causing bodily injury after Iowa City police say he allegedly struck his wife's 14-year-old grandson during a verbal argument in Iowa City.

Reports indicate that Curtis L. Kemp, 44, of 1100 Arthur Street Apt. M8, allegedly struck the boy during an argument about a bicycle at approximately 6:07 p.m. Monday.

Kemp allegedly grabbed the boy by the neck and threw him to the ground. When the boy got up and pushed Kemp, witnesses told police that Kemp allegedly choked the boy and threw a right-handed punch at him.

A witness told officers that the punch was not a direct hit and had glanced off the child's face. Kemp denied hitting the boy, saying that he had prepared to punch him, but had not done it, police said.

Kemp was being held at the Johnson County Jail Tuesday morning, waiting to appear before a judge.