A Duchesne County man has been arrested for alleged abuse to a child with a disability. According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, 55-year-old Roy Dennis Tibbets, who was on Adult Probation and Parole, was investigated after it was reported that a child had not been able to attend school for multiple days due to visible bruising caused by a belt. Multiple people confirmed the instance as well as other examples of abuse towards the same victim whether it was the use of a hand, belt, or cutting board and investigators noted that physical abuse allegedly occurred at least two times per week. One witness told investigators that Tibbets had been using drugs at the time of the serious bruising incident. Roy Tibbets was arrested on February 5th at his Roosevelt residence. He admitted to spanking the child, who is diagnosed with Autism, and told officers he believes in corporal punishment. The Affidavit also states that Tibbets threatened the victim that if he got sent to jail, the victim better be scared for when he gets out. He is charged with 3rd Degree Felony Abuse of a Child with a Disability and 3rd Degree Felony Tampering with a Witness.
