TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka city councilman has denied allegations that he physically abused his 12-year-old son.

The Topeka Capital Journal reports that councilman Jonathan Schumm denied the accusations in answers filed by his attorney, Thomas Lemon, to a petition seeking to have Schumm removed from his post. The councilman and his wife have been charged with aggravated battery, or the alternative charge of abuse of a child, for incidents that reportedly happened in October.

They were booked into jail on Nov. 20, but posted bond on the same day.

Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor and senior assistant district attorney Todd Hiatt filed a civil action in November to suspend Schumm as a city councilman, and then to oust him from office. They cited the alleged violence in the filing.