Nationwide — Andre Brown Jr., a 33-year-old man from Davenport, Florida, was arrested after police accused him of brutally abusing a 5-year-old boy. Investigators say the attack was driven by allegations that the child was targeted for being gay.
According to People, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said deputies arrested Brown on Sunday, May 3, in Davenport, Florida. Investigators said the case began after a 9-year-old girl in his care texted her mother, “I’m scared, he’s whooping him so hard, I’m scared.”
Investigators said children reported Brown was angry at the 5-year-old boy “for being gay.” They alleged he slammed the child onto the ground multiple times during the incident. They said he also struck all three children with a belt.
The sheriff’s office reported that the 5-year-old boy had the most serious injuries, while the other two children also showed marks consistent with being hit.
Police said Brown admitted during questioning that he hit the boy because he was gay. Deputies also said he made statements indicating he would “beat the gay out of him if possible.”
Brown faces charges of aggravated child abuse with a hate crime enhancement and resisting arrest. His arraignment is scheduled for June, court records show. Sheriff Grady Judd described the case as a “brutal and hateful attack on a defenseless child.”
Source: BlackNews.com
