hardwick,daniel lee 001

A Knoxville man was arrested last week after being accused of using a shock collar on his twelve-year-old son. 35-year-old Daniel Hardwick has been charged with neglect or abandonment of a dependent person. Police investigated the situation after a case worker expressed concern. According to court documents, Hardwick admitted to police that he would secure the collar on his son’s neck to “motivate” him to do chores. The report does not indicate that Hardwick admitted to using the collar.

He also allegedly admitted to securing his son in a high chair and placing him near the curb. According to the report, Hardwick says that a sign around his son’s neck stated “I refused to eat my big boy food. Please feed me, I’m hungry.”

Police Chief Dan Losada says the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible. Hardwick is now out on $20,000 bail. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted and will appear in court again next month.

Correction: It was previously reported that the boy was 4 years old. It is corrected here as 12. The error was made in documents provided to the court.