Detroit cop charged with child abuse, pointing taser at nephew and discharging it

A Detroit police officer has been charged with pointing his department-issued taser at his 10-year-old nephew and setting it off near him, according to Wayne County prosecutors.

Caleb Williams was arraigned Friday in Detroit's 36th District Court on one count of felonious assault and one count of second-degree child abuse. Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Coyle said Williams has been suspended from the Detroit Police Department.

Coyle said during Williams' arraignment that Williams was caught on video pointing the taser at his nephew April 17 and "arcing" it near him. That arc sends electricity through the prongs on the taser but does not send cartridges out of the weapon, according to Axon, which manufactures tasers. He did this three times, Coyle said.

"He looks like he is assaulting this young boy with his department-issued taser on numerous occasions," Coyle said.

His attorney, Wright Blake, said during Williams' arraignment that he has a tremendous work history and maintains his innocence. He turned himself in to be arraigned Friday.

Blake declined to comment further when contacted Friday.

Williams faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

kberg@detroitnews.com