WAILUKU, Hawaii >> Maui police arrested a state sheriff’s deputy for allegedly choking his 15-year-old son during a domestic dispute.

The Maui News (http://ow.ly/o6rjL) reports 38-year-old Kevin Vaivai of Lahaina is charged with felony abuse by strangulation and child abuse.

Police say the incident was reported Sunday night after the boy’s mother took him to an emergency room.

Police say the teen’s injuries weren’t life threatening and that the child abuse charge was because the incident took place in front of a younger son.

Vaivai was released after posting $5,200 bail. His defense attorney Ben Lowenthal declined to comment today.

State Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Toni Schwartz says the department is conducting an internal investigation. Vaivai has been placed on leave.