The  man who told police that he belongs to the church of Satan who was arrested on aggravated child abuse charges last month in Murfreesboro was in court on Thursday. 40-Year old John David Lotts, Jr. allegedly beat and kicked a young boy whom he was living with. The injuries to the 5-year old boy were so severe, that the child had to be admitted to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Doctors at the hospital say the small victim had a lacerated liver, kidney contusions and injuries all over his body. The child told police that Lotts had caused the injuries to his body. Lotts was evidently living with the child’s mother in Murfreesboro when the abuse occured. On Thursday, the case was bound over to the grand jury.

This is not the first time that Lotts has been in trouble with the law. Lotts was arrested and convicted in 1990 for aggravated rape. Lotts is a convicted sex offender. The child’s mother, Elizabeth A. Hoagland was also arrested. The 40-year old woman was charged with failure to protect. The little boy is now with relatives.