Sheriff’s deputy: Student says Kansas House member manhandled him

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A sheriff’s deputy says a high school student told him that a Kansas House member working as a substitute teacher manhandled him and kicked him in the testicles during class.

The sheriff’s deputy also said in a written statement that Republican state Rep. Mark Samsel of Wellsville told him God told him to do it.

The deputy’s affidavit was released to reporters Tuesday. It says the boy showed him an abrasion and scratch on his back that he said appeared after Samsel pushed him against a wall on April 28.

Samsel is charged with three misdemeanor counts of battery and has pleaded not guilty.

A magistrate ordered Samsel to undergo a mental health evaluation.