A Florida man has been charged with a hate crime after he allegedly beat a 5-year-old boy because he was “gay,” causing serious injuries to the child.
According to news release Andre Brown Jr., 33, of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Davenport, Florida, was watching the three children when a 9-year-old girl texted her mother and reported that she was physically abusing him.
The girl reportedly texted her mother about the treatment her 5-year-old son was receiving, saying, “I’m scared, he’s barking so hard, I’m scared.”
It is unclear what kind of relationship Brown has with his children.
During questioning after Brown’s arrest, the children told police that Brown became angry at the 5-year-old because he was “gay” and slammed him to the ground multiple times.
Brown then allegedly became angry with the other two children over past incidents and began hitting all three children with a belt. A 9-year-old girl suffered bruises to her arms, and another boy also suffered bruises to his arms and legs.
The most seriously injured boy, a 5-year-old boy, suffered large bruises and marks on his legs, arms, back and abdomen, a fractured right wrist and bruising to his forehead.
When officers arrived at the home on Sunday, May 3, and attempted to remove Brown from the scene, Brown began to distance himself and become increasingly loud and use derogatory language, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities said the man continued to scream and resist after being handcuffed.
Brown told deputies he hit the child because he was gay, saying, “If I could, I would beat up gay people, but that wasn’t possible, so I was going to hit him some more.”
Brown’s statements to police led prosecutors to classify the alleged assault as a hate crime and upgrade the charge of aggravated child abuse by one level. Brown also faces a first-degree misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest.
Under Florida law, aggravated child abuse is generally classified as a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison, a minimum of four years in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000. A first-degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in prison, 12 months of probation, or a $1,000 fine.
“This was a brutal and hateful attack on a defenseless child,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. “There are absolutely no excuses. We will ensure that justice is served and that children receive the safety and support they deserve.”
Brown’s arraignment is scheduled for June 9.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
