NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Franklin Man Charged After Spanking 5-Year-Old

Franklin Man Charged After Spanking 5-Year-Old

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Officials charged a Franklin man with assault.

Police accused Michael Evans of spanking an autistic 5-year-old boy who wandered into his yard.

Witnesses told police Evans scolded some children who came into his yard from a neighboring park on Saturday.

Police said all of them left, except for the five-year-old.

A witness said Evans held the boy by an arm and spanked him.

A news release from the police stated Evans acknowledged swatting child on the buttocks.

After a warrant was issued for his arrest, Evans surrendered and is free on $5,000 bond.

Experts said autism affects how people communicate with and understand other people.