POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Davenport man was arrested after beating a 5-year-old boy in what has now been described as a hate crime, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
In a release, deputies said that the investigation kicked off after a 9-year-old in the man’s care contacted her mother, advising that he was abusing her and the other two children in the home.
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During screenings, the children explained that the man — identified as 33-year-old Andre Brown — had gotten mad at the 5-year-old “for being gay” and slammed him on the ground several times, deputies added.
“He then got upset with the two other children for an alleged past occurrence and began striking all three children with a belt,” the release reads. “Deputies made contact with the 5-year-old boy, who had marks all over his body, which were consistent with being hit with a belt.”
Investigators reported that the 5-year-old had the most significant marks and bruising on his legs, arms, back and stomach, also sustaining a fracture on his right wrist and a contusion to his forehead.
However, the 5-year-old victim told investigators that he was afraid of Brown and didn’t want to say anything else, the release states.
Meanwhile, Brown reportedly told deputies that he decided to beat the victim because he was gay, stating he would “beat the gay out of him if it was possible, but since it wasn’t possible, he would beat him more.”
Due to the circumstances of the case, the sheriff’s office has labelled it a hate crime, meaning that it’s been enhanced one degree.
“When deputies attempted to remove Brown from the scene, he pulled away, became increasingly loud, and began yelling slurs,” the release continues. “Once in handcuffs, he continued yelling and pulling away.”
Now, Brown faces charges of aggravated child abuse and resisting arrest.
The sheriff’s office also noted that he has a lengthy criminal background, including charges like burglary, armed home invasion robbery, kidnapping, DUI, battery, drug possession, and possession of a weapon on school property.
“This was a brutal and hateful attack on a defenseless child. There is absolutely no excuse for it,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. “We will make sure justice is served and these children get the safety and support they deserve.”