According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Mathew Smith, 25, was outside a residence in the 3400 block of SE 92 Street, when he picked up a child by his throat and body-slammed him.
A witness who called 911, stated she saw Smith lift the child up in the air by his throat and “slam” him to the ground.
A second witness told deputies that he also saw Smith slam the child to the ground while holding him by his throat. “Like they do on UFC,” the witness stated.
Smith attempted to flee the area on his motorcycle when he saw deputies, but quickly stopped when deputies activated their emergency lights.
Smith jumped off the motorcycle and stated, “I wasn’t driving.”
Smith continued to walk away from deputies and resisted arrest until he saw a second deputy moving in to assist.
According to reports, deputies quickly determined that Smith was heavily intoxicated.
Smith denied putting his hands on the boy. Additionally, he told deputies that he did not know the child.
Smith refused to perform any sobriety or breath tests.
The deputy called the abuse hotline and spoke with “Operator Adrian,” ID 242, who advised she would not be doing a report on the incident. The deputy then notified the Crisis Intervention Specialist (C.I.S.).
The relationship between Smith and the boy was not released to Ocala Post.
According to reports, the boy might have suffered broken bones, but no further details could be obtained.
Smith was arrested and charged with Child Abuse, DUI, and Resisting Arrest.