Updated

Two Michigan parents are charged with assault in the beating of a 73-year-old school crossing guard who tried to break up a fight between their 6-year-old son and a 7-year-old classmate.

Police say the boys got into a fight at Lyons Elementary School last week. They say the parents brought their son to beat up the other boy the next morning.

Police say the couple's son threw a punch, knocking the boy to the ground. When James Thompson intervened, police say the couple attacked him.

Twenty-nine-year-old Shareka McKinney and 26-year-old Darell Livingston are charged with assault and battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The couple tells the Lansing State Journal they never intended for the boys to fight and only defended themselves against Thompson.