Officers are searching for 31-year-old James Sterling Chapman. They say he beat a 10-year-old relative so severely, the boy was unable to sit down.

"I see a few cases like this from time to time in our city, but nothing like this. This is pretty severe," Sgt. Mark Pardaen said.

Investigators say the child's teacher noticed something was wrong last week.

"The child was so severely injured, he couldn't sit down at his desk at school. (He) didn't eat at lunch time," Sgt. Pardaen said.

The child's teacher took him to the nurse. He made an outcry about the abuse and the school reported it to Child Protective Services and police.

Police say Chapman beat the boy with a belt because the child didn't arrive home when he was supposed to. The child suffered severe bruising over most of his body.

"It is our opinion, based on the injuries the child sustained, that these injuries far exceed any type of reasonable discipline to a 10-year-old child," Sgt. Pardaen said.

He added Chapman is being investigated for possibly abusing another child. Both children are now in foster homes and Sgt. Pardaen said the 10-year-old's mother will also be charged.

Chapman has been arrested multiple times for theft and has served time. Sgt. Pardaen said Chapman has been known to use the following aliases: Donta Young, Kenneth Williams, Sterling Chapman, Joseph Chapman and Patrick Fitzsimmons.

Sgt. Pardaen said Chapman told officers he'd turn himself in. However, now police can't locate him.

If you've seen Chapman, call Castle Hills Police at (210) 342-2341.

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Emphasis added by H4K Editor