A 43-year-old man in Sakaide City was arrested on suspicion of assaulting his two-year-old son inside a parked car on June 25.
The incident occurred at around 5:50 p.m. Police said the arrest took place on Friday after the case came to light on July 2 following a report from a child welfare center.
The father has denied the allegation. He was quoted as saying, “I slapped his head, but I didn't punch his face. The injury was caused by a fall.”
Another person who was in the car witnessed the incident, according to police.