A Central Florida man was apprehended for child abuse, and the penalty was enhanced for being a hate crime, according to local law enforcement.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested Andre Brown Jr., 33, of Davenport, on charges of child abuse, a life felony exacerbated by the fact that the abuse was motivated by hatred.
According to the complaint, the inquiry began when a 9-year-old girl in Brown’s care contacted her mother to report that Brown was abusing her and the other two children in the house. She then texted her mother, “I’m scared, he’s whooping him so hard, I’m scared.”
During screenings with the youngsters, they revealed that Brown was upset with the 5-year-old boy “for being gay” and began smashing him to the ground several times. He then became enraged with the two other youngsters over an alleged earlier incident and began beating all three with a belt.
Deputies made contact with the 5-year-old youngster, who had marks on his body consistent with being struck with a belt. During his screening, the victim stated that he was terrified of Brown and did not want to say anything more.
The female bruised her arms, while one of the boys bruised his arms and legs. The 5-year-old boy had the most extensive wounds and bruising on his legs, arms, back, and stomach, as well as a fractured right wrist and a contusion on his forehead.
Brown informed authorities that he chose to smack the victim because he was gay. He said he would “beat the gay out of him if possible, but since it wasn’t possible he would beat him more.”
This crime is classed as a hate crime because Brown purposely beat the youngster and fractured his right wrist in the belief that he was gay. When deputies tried to remove Brown from the situation, he backed away, became louder, and started hurling insults. He continued to yell and pull away even after being handcuffed.
Andre Brown was charged with severe child abuse and resisting arrest, according to the PCSO.
“This was a brutal and hateful attack on a defenseless child,” Sheriff Grady Judd stated. “There is just no reason for this. We will ensure that justice is served and that these children receive the protection and assistance they deserve.”
According to law enforcement, Brown has an extensive criminal history, including Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Burglary, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Theft, Theft of Utilities, Kidnapping with Intent to Commit a Felony, Home Invasion Robbery with a Firearm, Aggravated Battery, Battery 2nd Offense, Aggravated Battery on Pregnant Person, Driving Under the Influence, Possession of Weapon on School Property, Felony Battery, Domestic Battery Strangulation,
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