Authorities in Illinois say officers responded to the residence of one of their own recently in response to a report of a battered child.

According to WMAQ, 55-year-old Wayman Vela — a Round Lake Park police officer — was arrested by deputies from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office following an incident reported on Friday.

The alleged victim was a 5-year-old girl identified as the daughter of the suspect’s girlfriend. Vela allegedly hit the girl multiple times across her lower back with a paddle, causing injuries requiring attention from medical staff at an area hospital.

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While at the residence, authorities reportedly met with an agent from the Department of Children and Family Services who had previously been looking into claims about the allegation.

He was arrested on Saturday, hours after deputies responded to his home, and is expected to face a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery. As of the latest reports available, he remained behind bars at the Lake County Jail with bail set at $10,000.

Records indicate Vela is expected to appear in court next week for a hearing.

He was placed on unpaid leave and Round Lake Park police have launched an internal investigation in the claims, as reported by the Chicago Daily Herald.

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[Featured image: Wayman Vela, Lake County Sheriff’s Office]