By Shavonne Potts

shavonne.potts@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man was charged this week with misdemeanor child abuse after his girlfriend’s children told their mother he abused them, according to a Rowan County Sheriff’s Office report.

Justin Frank Gribble, 30, of Brookfield Circle, was accused of physically abusing a 6-year-old and a 2-year-old.

The incident was initially reported on April 7 after the children’s mother contacted law enforcement. She told deputies they all were at gas station and when Gribble got out of the car and the oldest child told her he was abusive.

According to Capt. John Sifford, the mother said she confronted Gribble and they argued. Gribble pulled the vehicle’s keys out of the ignition, tossed them into nearby woods and took off.

The vehicle was apparently still running and the mother was able to stop the vehicle short of hitting some mailboxes. The children were taken to the Terrie Hess House child advocacy center for forensic interviews.

Sifford said there was some evidence of bruising on the children. Detectives filed charges and arrested Gribble on Thursday.