Columbia police officer arrested, charged with

child abuse
The Associated Press

A Columbia police officer was arrested and charged with unlawful conduct toward
a child, authorities said.

Michael Antonio Giddens Jr., 22, was charged Sunday, Richland County sheriff's
spokesman Chris Cowan said. Giddens was watching his 4-month-old son on
Saturday while the boy's mother was at work, according to a police report.

Giddens first told his girlfriend the baby fell on the floor, but when 20-year-old
Natalie Davis changed the boy's diaper later that night, she noticed bruises on
the baby's bottom and right side of his face, according to the report. When Davis
repeatedly questioned Giddens, he said he hit the baby, she told police.

The child was treated at a hospital for bruises Sunday, said the boy's
grandmother, Lorie Emerson of West Columbia.

"The baby is doing fine," Emerson said Monday.

Giddens is a patrol officer who has been with the department for one year. He is
on administrative suspension pending the outcome of the case.