A man reportedly admitted to abusing his son when taking a polygraph test as part of his application to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

Garhett Ronald Galison, 25, faces two counts of child abuse.

In November 2018, a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office deputy was assigned a child abuse case regarding an incident that occurred in 2017.

Authorities had been in contact with Mr. Galison, who took a polygraph test in October 2018 when applying to become a deputy sheriff with MCSO.

During the test, Mr. Galison said he is a father of a 2-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl, and openly admitted to committing a criminal act. He stated about 1.5 years ago, he was alone with his 11-month-old son who would not stop crying.

Mr. Galison reportedly got frustrated and slapped his son three times with an open hand, court documents state. He then allegedly punched his son in the face two times, causing a black eye.

After that happened, Mr. Galison said he knew he had to get away from the boy to calm down.

When the boy’s mother asked about the injuries, Mr. Galison said he lied and told her their son was playing and ran into a table.

Mr. Galison had not told anyone about the incident until the polygraph test, records state.

MCSO learned the boy has some medical and developmental disabilities and is receiving necessary services.

On another date, Mr. Galison said he had spanked his son three to four times on his butt, leaving a red mark. The last time he recalled hitting his son too hard was six months before the polygraph test.

He also admitted to withholding information on the incident from his background investigator because he was uncomfortable and thought he could be arrested.

Mr. Galison later disclosed the incidents to the boy’s mother during a one-party consent call. She and her daughter also relayed the information to Childhelp in January 2019.

The mother got an order of protection once she found out about her son’s punch in the face, records state.

Mr. Galison was arrested Thursday at his listed residence near Skyhawk Drive and Stardust Boulevard in Sun City West. However, he was released on his own recognizance with court dates Nov. 6 and 14.

His release orders prevent him from contact with his son.