An Ocala man was charged with child abuse after an argument with his 15-year-old stepson turned physical Thursday night.
An Ocala Police officer responded to the residence after both parties called 911. Andrew Sexton, 32, told the officer he’s been dating the victim’s mother and they all have been living together as a family unit for four years, according to the OPD report.
Sexton said he returned home from a car meet and became upset because the house wasn’t clean. An argument ensued between Sexton and the victim, with both parties in each other’s faces yelling. Sexton said the victim used some choice words he didn’t care for and it heightened his anger, the report said.
Sexton said he balled up his fist and stiffened his body in an aggressive manor, but he didn’t have intentions of hitting the victim. Sexton showed the officer what it looked like and it appeared as if he was ready to punch somebody, according to the report.
Sexton said he didn’t touch the victim, but the victim struck him with a closed fist using his right hand. Sexton showed the officer some redness above his right eyebrow, but that contradicted his story because if the victim used his right hand, it would have injured the left side of Sexton’s face. Sexton said he reacted by throwing the victim to the ground and sitting on him so he couldn’t get up. The victim’s mother was able to get Sexton off the victim and keep them apart, the report said.
Another officer interviewed the victim and his mother, and their accounts coincided with each other’s. They said Sexton came home and became upset because the house wasn’t clean and an argument between Sexton and the victim. When Sexton balled up his fist, the victim thought he was going to hit him and put his hand up to defend himself. Sexton threw the victim to the ground, struck him with a closed first and placed his hands around his throat. The victim said he was able to breathe and didn’t feel like Sexton was trying to strangle him. Both parties had minor abrasions and redness, according to the report.
The officers identified Sexton as the primary aggressor and placed him under arrest for domestic child abuse. At that time, Sexton said he had surveillance video of the incident. Sexton originally wouldn’t allow police to review the footage, but he changed his mind when he got to the patrol car. However, it was learned the surveillance equipment was not operable, and Sexton was taken to the Marion County Jail without incident.
Sexton was being held Saturday on $2,500 bond. He’s scheduled to appear in Marion County Court on Aug. 13.