Inver Grove Heights Man Accused of Hitting 11-Year-Old Boy with Belt

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A 50-year-old Inver Grove Heights man was arrested for allegedly striking an 11-year-old boy several times with a belt last week.

Christopher Cubie has been charged with malicious punishment of a child, which is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of between $900 and $3,000.

He is accused of striking the boy—who considered Cubie to be his grandfather even though they were not related, according to court documents—after not taking a bath and for poor grades on Jan. 3.

Cubie made his first appearance in Dakota County District Court on Tuesday and was released on his own recognizance.

According to a Dakota County criminal complaint released Tuesday:

On Jan. 4, the Inver Grove Heights Police Department was asked by Dakota County Social Services to assist in a possible child abuse case.

The 11-year-old boy and his younger sister were left in Cubie’s care by their mother on the evening of Jan. 3. The boy said his mother allegedly suggested he should receive a “whooping” for his grades, but she did not physically punish him at that time.

After the boy gave his sister a bath, he took a break before taking his own bath. Cubie allegedly asked the boy why he had not taken his bath and commented that the boy had yet to be punished for his grades.

Cubie and the boy reportedly went into the boy’s bedroom. After the boy was told to pull down his pants, Cubie allegedly struck the boy several times with a belt, leaving behind bruises.

Later, Cubie allegedly struck the boy five or six times with a belt in the kitchen.

The boy told authorities that Cubie allegedly hit him and his sister with a belt on New Year’s when his sister joined the boy in his bed after watching a scary movie.

Social Services reported that the boy had three bruises on his leg.

Cubie is scheduled to appear for his omnibus hearing at 9 a.m. Feb. 5.