Man slapped kid accused of bullying his 12-year-old stepdaughter
(Meredith) – A Texas man was arrested for slapping a 12-year-old boy accused of bullying his stepdaughter, police said.
James Olander Peace, 37, is charged with one count of felony injury to a child, KTRK reported.
Peace’s wife, who did not want to be named, told the station their 12-year-old daughter was walking home from school in Deer Park, Texas on Feb. 14 when two boys began teasing her. She said they called the girl “a transvestite” and “threw ice cream at her.”
The girl then called her parents to get a ride home, so she could escape the alleged bullies. Deer Park Police Lt. Chris Brown said when Peace picked up his stepdaughter, he confronted one of the boys.
“On the drive home, they happened to see the juvenile suspect walking and that’s when the stepdad decided to stop and confront the kid,” Brown said in an interview with KTRK.
The Deer Park Police Department reportedly obtained nearby surveillance video that showed Peace shouting at the boy before hitting him.
“He was slapped across the face with an open hand, had red marks and swelling to his cheek and upper jaw,” said Brown.
The following day, the boy told a teacher that he was afraid to go to lunch because he didn’t want to see Peace’s stepdaughter, according to KHOU. That’s how school counselors reportedly found out about the case.
Peace was later released on $15,000 bond, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported, citing jail records.
Photo Credit: James Peace | Deer Park Police Department