More details have emerged surrounding the recent arrest of Tiverton police officer Jacob Rapoza on a felony charge of second degree child abuse.

Rapoza, the former Tiverton High School school resource officer already facing charges in Tiverton for allegedly discharging his taser at several school assemblies last year, was arrested by Warren police on Thursday, August 10 after officers there received a report of suspected child abuse from Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

In an interview with Warren police, the child’s mother said that a day earlier, Rapoza texted her to let her know that he had just slapped their five-year-old son in the face after he had a “meltdown” in the car, she said.

Rapoza, she said, told her that the child had been hitting him, slapping him and pulling his beard.

“As a result Jake said that he hit him back and now he has a mark,” she told police. “He said he was not going to let a 5-year-old beat him up.”

After texting her a photo of the child’s face, she said she asked him to return the child, and they met soon after in a restaurant parking lot where he handed over the boy. Following that, she told police, she contacted her attorney and the state Department of Children, Youth and Families. She also brought the child to a walk-in clinic in Warwick, where medical professionals contacted the Warwick Police Department. From there, as is protocol in such cases, the child was taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and Warren police were notified.

Rapoza was initially ordered held as a bail violator due to the Tiverton charges, and was released on bond last Thursday as he awaits his next appearance in court, scheduled for November. He was ordered to have no contact with the child.

Though Rapoza had been suspended with pay from the Tiverton Police Department since late December, the felony charges triggered a change in status. He is now suspended without pay, Tiverton Police Chief Patrick Jones said last week.