An Elkmont stepfather accused of paddling another man’s 6-year-old child to the point of “substantial bruising” has been charged with felony child abuse, an official confirmed.

Kenny William Gatlin, 36, of 21520 Easter Ferry Road, was arrested on the charge Tuesday by the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Investigator Capt. Lance Royals said Thursday.

“The boy was spanked by Gatlin and he had real bad bruising on his rear end,” Royals said. “Based on the pictures and the substantial bruising, that is why we obtained the warrant and arrested him.”

Court records show Gatlin is accused of using a wooden paddle on the son of the complainant on the weekend of May 19 at a location on Easter Ferry Road, court records show.

The complainant filed a report with the Sheriff’s Office following the incident and also petitioned the Limestone County District Court for protection from abuse by Gatlin.

In the petition, the complainant claims his son suffered “substantial bruising” from the paddling and that his son was “threatened to be whipped again if he spoke of the incident to anyone.”

The father is asking the court to restrain Gatlin from harassing, stalking, threatening or engaging in conduct that would place his son or himself in reasonable fear of bodily injury.

Investigator Emily Lewter investigated the case and obtained the warrant for Gatlin’s arrest, Royals said.

Gatlin was released from the Limestone County Jail on the charge after posting bond of $20,000, records show.