MESA, Ariz. -- A woman's live-in boyfriend has been arrested and charged with child abuse for beating her son with a belt, according to Mesa police paperwork.

Travis Craig, a Valley substitute teacher, was apprehended on Monday for allegedly hitting an 11-year-old boy.

"It's something that got out of hand here, and I'm pretty sure he learned his lesson," said Heather Wilson, the boy's mother.

Craig admitted to using the belt on the boy at his girlfriend's home they share because he believed the child was lying about something, the paperwork said.

The man has worked in Valley classrooms for more than a year. CBS 5 News checked with the state and found no history of problems with students.

Craig is charged with five counts, one for each bruise on the child.

The boy suffered bruises on his left side of his face, left arm, right and left thighs and left hip, according to police.

Police said Craig first hit the victim on the forehead with his hand and then took the victim's belt and began beating the boy.

The boy tried to fight back by hitting and biting the man, officers said.

The victim's mother tried to pull Craig away without success, the paperwork said.

The boy and his mother fled into a room, locked the door and waited until Craig left before seeking help, paperwork showed.

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