Man Charged With Slapping Girl For Not Playing Soccer With Him

EAST AUSTIN, TX -- An East Austin man is accused of physically assaulting a 12-year-old girl while she played soccer with her brother.

The charge stems from a November incident in the 7400 block of Chasm Lake Lane, where the girl was playing outside with her brother, reports KEYE-TV

Austin Police Department investigators say 46-year-old Jesus Soto kicked the girl after taking away her soccer ball.

According to the victim, Soto became irate after she declined an offer for him to join in the game with her and her brother. In retaliation, the man kicked her in the knee, the girl told police investigators.

The girl disclosed her version of events in an interview with APD Child Abuse Unit investigators. She also described how the man grabbed her from behind in a bear hug when she tried to walk away before slapping her.

The girl said she was able to escape his grasp, and the man then threatened her with a broomstick. As he brandished the makeshift weapon, the girl said she advised Soto she was going to get her dad.

“Go ahead,” Soto reportedly told the girl. “I’ll do it to him, too!”

Following the police investigation into the incident, Soto was charged with injury to a child--a third-degree felony.