TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka city council member denies allegations that he physically abused his 12-year-old son.

Councilman Jonathan Schumm denied the accusations in answers filed by his attorney, Thomas Lemon, to a petition seeking to have Schumm removed from his post. The councilman and his wife have been charged with aggravated battery, or the alternative charge of abuse of a child, for incidents that reportedly happened in October.

 

Both were booked into jail on November 20th, and posted bond on the same day.

Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor and senior assistant district attorney Todd Hiatt filed a civil action in November to suspend Schumm as a city councilman, and then to oust him from office. They cited the alleged violence in the filing.