Two people were arrested Wednesday in connection with the abuse of a 12-year-old autistic boy who was allegedly beaten by his stepfather, officials said Friday

The stepfather was booked on one count of child abuse and endangerment, along with the mother who was booked on the same charges as well as failure to report neglect of a minor, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jeffrey Sprong said. The names of the two are not being released to protect the victim’s identity.

The boy’s middle school reported the abuse after noticing signs of abuse. Detectives said the boy had extensive bruising, some in the shape of a spatula found in the home, Sprong said.

The boy told police that if he misbehaved, his stepfather would make him do calisthenics while he questioned him about it. If he answered wrong, he would be hit on the buttocks, Sprong said.

The father admitted to spanking on three occasions and using pushups as a punishment, Sprong said.

The boy also told police his mother had a rule that if his stepfather had to raise his voice, he would be spanked, Sprong said.

The 12-year-old boy and his 2-year-old sister are now in Child Protective Services’ custody. The detectives also noted the mother hesitated when they asked her if she wanted her son back, not showing very much emotion about the situation, Sprong said.