Texas cop being investigated for spanking children with the permission of their grandmother

>>Click to see states where corporal punishment is allowed in schools. less A police officer in Haltom City, near Fort Worth, is being investigated for spanking two children after stopping them from running into the street. >>Click to see states where corporal punishment is ... more A police officer in Haltom City, near Fort Worth, is being investigated for spanking two children after stopping them from running into the street. Photo: Getty Photo: Getty Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Texas cop being investigated for spanking children with the permission of their grandmother 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

A police officer in Haltom City, near Fort Worth, is being investigated after spanking two children who attempted to run into the street.

Last week authorities were told about the incident, which allegedly happened in November, the Star-Telegram reports.

Two patrol officers, a neighbor and the neighbor's 10-year-old daughter say they witnessed the cop use a belt to spank a 5-year-old boy and his 6-year-old sister. The grandmother, who also witnessed the incident, allegedly gave her permission. The spanking is described as a light "tap."

The grandmother, who has adopted the children, said she called police when they ran and she couldn't catch them.

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"My grandson broke a backyard gate and ran down the street. His sister just followed him because they thought it was just fun and games," the grandmother told the Star-Telegram Tuesday in a telephone interview. "Years ago, he would drive by my family's home and check on my mother, who was ill. He would check on her all the time. She died four years ago."

After the officer arrived and lectured the children on the dangers of busy streets, she says that her grandchildren weren't receptive and "smirked" at the officer.

"He asked if I could get a belt and if he could spank them. I said yes. I went in, got the small belt and came back outside," she explains, adding that the "light taps" were administered using a 2-foot-long belt to spank each child once on their bottoms. "I have no complaints against that officer. We just wanted to put the fear of God in my grandchildren."

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Police Chief Cody Phillips told the Fort Worth news outlet that an internal source reported the occurrence.

"Once the investigation, including interviews with all parties, is concluded, any action(s) taken by the department will be determined based on the findings of the investigation," Phillips said.

Since this is an ongoing investigation, Haltom City police are not yet releasing the identity of the accused officer. They say that the cop remains on active duty.