FAST FACTS:

(Ripley, TN 05/13/2010) Inside the Ripley County Courthouse, a judge decides a temporary restraining order will remain in place against part time Ripley Tennessee police officer Steven Kirkpatrick.

The mother of his 4 year old daughter accuses the 21-year-old officer of beating the child over drugs.

A court document says DCS got involved after a report from the mother.

The document says the child had bruises on her thigh and buttocks. She reportedly told her mother, her father spanked her with a belt for spilling a drink on his "weed."

Kirkpatrick drove away and dodged our questions outside the courthouse.

We also tried to talk to his bosses at Ripley City Hall.

Both the mayor and police chief were not available to discuss how the allegations would affect his employment.

The child's mother, Tiffany Gitchell, says the problem between her and the child's father has lingered for years.

"This has been going on for years and things swept under the rug and it's just time that everything be brought to light," Gitchell said.

A full court hearing is scheduled for next month. Until then, all visits between the officer and his daughter must be supervised by the Carl Perkins Center for Children.

"I'm happy about that, right now. That's the best thing we could have, right now," said Gitchell.

DCS says the officer has told conflicting stories about how the child got the bruises.

There are no criminal charges against the officer. The district attorney says the TBI has a pending investigation.

Gitchell had an order of protection against her ex-boyfriend but it expired last year.