A 57-year-old Janesville man is accused of beating a 2-year-old and a 6-year-old with his hand and a belt.

Rodney Spruill is charged in Rock County Court with two counts of physical abuse of a child-intentionally causing bodily harm.

According to the criminal complaint, the children’s grandmother uncovered the abuse when she noticed bruising on the 6-year-old. The child told the woman that Spruill had beat him for getting toothpaste on the couch.

The 6-year-old told police that Spruill often beats him and his 2-year-old brother when their mother is gone. Investigators photographed extensive bruising on both boys.

Police reviewed text messages to the children’s mother where Spruill demanded she tell police she was the one who spanked the kids.

Spruill remains free on a $500 signature bond.