Homer Police earlier this month charged a 32-year-old Homer man with assault for allegedly hitting a toddler related to him. Carl A. Moonin was charged with four counts of fourth-degree assault, domestic violence.

According to a criminal complaint filed by Homer Police Sgt. Ryan Browning, at about 5 p.m. June 7 police received a 911 call from a couple camped about 50 yards from Moonin at the Karen Hornaday Park Campground. Browning wrote that the couple called 911 when they allegedly saw him standing over the child and hit the child hard enough they could hear the blows.

Browning went to Moonin’s campsite and examined the child while Moonin was there. Browning alleged he saw a welt and a red irritated area on the child’s bottom. The child also had swelling around the left eye, Browning wrote. Browning arrested Moonin and called the Alaska Office of Children’s Services, who took the child to the South Peninsula Hospital Emergency Room. The child had no serious injuries and was released into OCS custody, according to Browning’s complaint.

Several resources are available for parents who might be frustrated or confused about caring for children and want to avoid violence:

• 235-8943, South Peninsula Haven House 24-hour crisis line,

• (800) 643-5437, Alaska Parent Line and

• (800) 422-4453, the Family Violence Prevention Fund.

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.