Iowa sheriff: discipline is one thing, but an electric cattle prod is 'above and beyond'

Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholdt says a father who is accused of using an electric cattle prod to discipline his two daughters failed to see the line between proper punishment and child endangerment.

"If you were to ask me is this guy the worst father in the world, I would say no," the sheriff told the Des Moines Register. "I think he used poor judgment in this case and hopefully will realize that from this point forward."

The Iowa Department of Human Services began an investigation into Travis John Coker on Dec. 1 after receiving complaints from a female dependent that he used inappropriate forms of discipline, court records indicate.

Sandholdt says the man used the electric cattle prod to punish his two daughters, one age 11 and one age 13.

“Once you get to the point of using an electronic cattle prod, then you’ve crossed the line. That’s what I want people to take home: You’ve crossed a line when you go that far," the sheriff said. "People have the right to discipline their children, but you can’t be taking these extremes.”

Sandholdt said he believes children need to be held responsible for bad behavior. But the Sharpshock livestock prod Coker is accused of using on his daughters, the sheriff said, rises to a level of punishment that's unacceptable.

"You know, there’s always different ideas on what’s appropriate discipline. Some people say kids should never be spanked. Other people say they should get a belt. But in this case, when you’re going to the extremes of using an electronic cattle prod to discipline kids, that’s above and beyond.”

Officers with the Marion County Sheriff's Office accompanied DHS investigators to Coker's Swan, Iowa home. Swan recorded a population of 72 in the 2010 census and sits just 35 miles southeast of Des Moines. Court records show the 36-year-old man and his wife corroborated the victim's statements, and he admitted to using the cattle prod.

As far as he knew, the sheriff said the incident was an isolated event.

Coker was arrested on two charges of child endangerment and booked into the Marion County Jail on Dec. 1. He was released on a $5,000 bond one day later, court records show. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.