Child abuse charges against police recruit dismissed
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A Pittsburgh police recruit who sued the city alleging discrimination in hiring is no longer facing child abuse charges in connection with a spanking of his 6-year-old son.
Allegheny County court records indicate that the charges of simple assault and child endangerment against 35-year-old James Foster were dismissed Friday following a preliminary hearing.
Police said in December that doctors cited bruises on the child’s thigh. Defense attorney Blaine Jones said his client was disciplining his son to make sure he behaved in school.
Jones said he hoped Foster could now “get his job back and resume with his dream” of becoming a Pittsburgh officer.
Foster was one of five black applicants who sued in 2012. The city denied intentional bias but paid nearly $1.6 million in a settlement last year.