A Licking man faces a pair of felony charges and is jailed on $500,000 bond after allegedly assaulting an autistic boy in late March.
Donald R. Hall, 34, of 20425 E. Highway 32 at Licking, is charged with second-degree assault – special victim and abuse or neglect of a child – serious emotional or physical injury (both class B felonies).
In a probable cause statement, an investigating Texas County Sheriff’s Department deputy reported that a woman called March 23 and stated the boy was bleeding from his mouth, chest and back and she would meet an officer at Roby. The woman said she had asked the boy what happened, and he replied that Hall had thrown him down and hit him.
During an interview with child advocates, the boy reportedly said he had been in Hall’s truck when he pulled the vehicle over, removed the child and threw him down, and then choked him and hit him. A nurse who examined the boy said he had injuries on his neck, chest, back and side, and they looked like they weren’t accidental.
He reportedly admitted to assaulting the boy and said several times that he could have killed him.
The investigating deputy noted in the report that the boy is autistic, but during interviewing was able to demonstrate what happened using dolls.
Bond is set at $500,000. Charges came Monday.