MARION COUNTY — A 36-year-old Centralia man was formally charged Wednesday in Marion County Court with felony battery of his 6-year-old son.

According to court records, Lawrence Simms Jr. was charged with Class 3 felony aggravated battery causing bodily harm to a child under the age of 13 and misdemeanor domestic battery.

Centralia police responded Wednesday to the Principal’s office at Schiller School after the school reportedly discovered marks on the child’s arms and back. The child reportedly told school officials and police his father struck him with a belt after he dropped some food on the floor.

The boy was taken into protective custody by the Department of Children and Family Services who took him to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment.

Judge Mark Stedelin denied the state’s motion to continue to detain Simms in the Marion County Jail

Simms was ordered released from the Marion County Jail under special conditions. He’s next scheduled to appear in court May 21 for a preliminary hearing.