Andre Brown Jr. – Photo: Polk County Sheriff’s Office
A Florida man has been charged with a hate crime after allegedly beating a 5-year-old boy for “being gay,” leaving the child with severe injuries.
According to a news release from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Andre Brown Jr., 33, of Davenport, Florida, was watching three children when a 9-year-old girl texted her mother to report that he was physically abusing them.
“I’m scared, he’s whooping him so hard, I’m scared,” the girl allegedly texted her mother about the treatment the 5-year-old was receiving.
It is unclear what Brown’s relationship to the children was.
In interviews conducted after Brown’s arrest, the children told police that Brown became angry at the 5-year-old for “being gay” and slammed him on the ground multiple times.
Brown then allegedly became upset with the two other children over a past incident and began striking all three children with a belt. The 9-year-old girl suffered bruising to her arms, while another boy suffered bruising to his arms and legs.
The 5-year-old suffered the most severe injuries, including significant bruising and marks on his legs, arms, back, and stomach, a broken right wrist, and a contusion on his forehead.
When deputies arrived at the home on Sunday, May 3, and attempted to remove Brown from the scene, he allegedly pulled away, became increasingly loud, and began yelling slurs, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities say he continued yelling and resisting even after he was placed in handcuffs.
Brown allegedly told deputies that he beat the child because he was gay, saying he would “beat the gay out of him if possible, but since it wasn’t possible he would beat him more.”
Due to Brown’s statements to police, prosecutors classified the alleged assault as a hate crime and enhanced the aggravated child abuse charge by one degree. Brown also faces a first-degree misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest.
Under Florida law, aggravated child abuse is typically classified as a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison, a mandatory minimum four-year sentence, and fines of up to $10,000. A first-degree misdemeanor carries penalties of up to one year in jail, 12 months of probation, and/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 is absolutely no excuse for it. We will make sure justice is served and these children get the safety and support they deserve.”
Republican lawmakers in Tennessee are pushing a bill that critics warn could effectively create a registry of transgender residents, raising fears it could be used to surveil or harass them.
House Bill 754, sponsored by State Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) and Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), would require all gender clinics in Tennessee to report monthly health data on patients who have received transition-related care to the Department of Health. The department would then publish aggregated annual reports.
A new rule from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives could effectively criminalize transgender people who attempt to buy firearms, raising concerns about their ability to exercise Second Amendment rights.
The move stems from an executive order by President Donald Trump declaring that the federal government will recognize only two sexes -- male and female -- based on biological anatomy at birth.
Under the change, all gun buyers would be required to list their sex assigned at birth on purchase paperwork, even if they have legally changed their gender or undergone gender confirmation surgery. That would force transgender people to either "out" themselves or risk lying on a government form -- a crime punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or up to 10 years if the lie is deemed "material" to the sale.
Grindr will host its first-ever party tied to the White House Correspondents' Dinner, the annual Washington gathering celebrating the First Amendment and the media.
Hosted by the White House Correspondents' Association, the dinner raises money for journalism scholarships while bringing together media figures, politicians, business leaders, and celebrities for a night of networking and entertainment.
Historically, the event -- often dubbed the "Nerd Prom" -- features a stand-up comedian roasting political and media figures, along with a comedic speech, either live or videotaped, by the sitting president.
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.