A 47-year-old Sutherland man is facing a felony child abuse charge after he became involved in a scuffle between his daughter and another girl.

At around 7 p.m. on January 5th, an officer from the North Platte Police Department responded to WalMart, 1401 South Dewey, on the report of an assault.

A 12-year-old female victim alleged that while she and her 12-year-old friend were walking around the store, they became involved in an argument with a 14-year-old female and her male friend.

The altercation allegedly turned physical when the 14-year-old female punched the victim in the back right shoulder and face.

Following a brief struggle, the teens separated and went their separate ways.

According to Officer Rodney Brown, as the 12-year-old victim was leaving the store, the suspect’s father, Kelly Christner, confronted her and her friend.

The victim told officers that Christner “threw her on a bench” and choked her, making it difficult for her to breathe.  WalMart employees reportedly had to intervene to stop Christner.

Following further investigation, officers determined there was probable cause to arrest Christner for felony child abuse, and on March 21st, Christner was processed and released from the Lincoln County Detention Center.

The 14-year-old suspect was cited for two counts of 3rd degree assault.