Nahant man nabbed for alleged child abuse

NAHANT – A town man is spending the holiday weekend in jail for allegations he physically assaulted his 14-year-old daughter last week.Kirk A. Palmer, 43, of 77 Spring Road, Nahant, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a child and domestic assault and battery. He turned himself into police at about 4 p.m. Saturday after a warrant was issued for his arrest.Police say Palmer allegedly kicked his daughter in the legs numerous times and also used a belt to assault her at some point within the past seven days.According to Nahant Police Lt. Tom Hutton, police were notified of possible abuse after students at the girl’s school in Swampscott noticed she had serious bruises on her legs during gym class.The concerned students contacted their School Resource Officer, who helped launched the investigation, which involved both Swampscott and Nahant police, Hutton said.Middle school and high school-aged youths who live in Nahant have the option of attending public school in Swampscott.Shortly after Palmer was taken into custody, Lynn District Court Clerk Charlene Cole ordered him held without bail until his court arraignment on Tuesday, when a judge will decide his fate.Palmer was arrested in Nahant at least once before, on March 25, 2004, on a charge driving with a revoked license.