ABERDEEN - A 55-year-old Aberdeen man accused of striking his then 7-year-old son with a tree branch has pleaded not guilty.

Odell K. Jordan Jr. is charged with a felony count of abuse or cruelty to a minor and a misdemeanor of simple assault.

The charges stem from an alleged incident last year when authorities believe Jordan hit his son with a tree branch, causing scrapes, welts and cuts.

One of Jordan's friends say she saw him strike the boy, adding that he was naked at the time and had cuts on his forehead, arms, shoulders and back.

The child is in the custody of state Social Services.

The felony count carries a maximum of 15 years in prison.