Couple Christopher Lewis, Deonijhane Menifield arrested for Tasering their Child

A couple have been arrested for using a Taser to 'discipline' a child under their care.

Christopher Lewis, 22, and Deonijhane 'Amy' Menifield, 19, are alleged to have zapped the 13-year-old on the thigh as a form of punishment.

The allegations only arose after the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told teachers at his school, who alerted police.

It added: 'Since that time, both suspects have been using the stun gun as a form of discipline against the victim.'

'The 13-year-old boy told one of the employees at his school what was going on, and the employee called the police,' added Janelle McGregor, of Tampa Police Department.

'We noticed visible marks on the boy that were consistent with his story,' she added.

She said the teenager had been Tasered on his upper thigh.

The couple were arrested at their home on Tuesday and have been charged with child abuse.

Police papers listed Menifield as a volunteer at a daycare centre.

When Lewis, who said he was the boy's brother, was arrested he was also carrying a 12-inch hunting knife in his jacket, for which he now faces a charge of carrying a concealed weapon.

The couple deny abusing the boy.