Cop allegedly pepper sprayed girlfriend's 13yo son when he stayed in bed instead of going to school Harsh...A police officer shoots pepper spray at a protester. A US law enforcement officer faces criminal charges for allegedly pepper-spraying his girlfriend's 13-year-old son because the boy stayed in bed instead of going to school. WTAE-TV reports that Pennsylvania state Trooper Ernest Boatright faces a January 22 preliminary hearing on child endangerment and harassment charges. According to court records, Mr Boatright told investigators he had pepper-sprayed two cats on an enclosed porch, but the boy tells police that Mr Boatright sprayed the chemical into his room in April. The boy told police that Mr Boatright had sprayed him with the substance before. Mr Boatright didn't immediately return a call for comment. His attorney says Mr Boatright "vehemently denies the charges."