A South Florida man was arrested on Thursday for allegedly beating his four-year-old autistic and nonverbal son, according to records.
According to an arrest record, 31-year-old David Martinez of Homestead is charged with child abuse without causing grave bodily harm.
Martinez was in his bedroom on Thursday when his toddler entered screaming, according to the complaint. The victim’s mother informed authorities that because the child is nonverbal, he shouts when he needs something.
Martinez then asked his kid what was wrong, and a noise from the bedroom appeared to indicate Martinez was beating the boy, according to the report.
Shortly after, Martinez allegedly dragged his son out the room while spanking him with his hand. According to the investigation, the boy was wailing on the sofa when Martinez approached him with a belt.
Martinez allegedly struck the boy with his belt or hand, leaving the 4-year-old wailing on the floor.
According to the complaint, Martinez then returned to his son’s bedroom, pulled him onto the bed, and began striking him with a belt.
The assault lasted 25 minutes, according to the complaint.
The boy sustained superficial wounds and red stains on his upper thighs, according to the report. Investigators reported that the incident was captured on a previously installed camera for the victim’s safety. “I need him away from my son,” the mother stated during Martinez’s bond court appearance on Friday.
Martinez remained in jail on a $2,500 bond as of Friday afternoon, according to online records. A judge also ordered that he stay away from his son and not contact him.
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