A brave little girl in Florida knew her brother needed help out of a dangerous situation, and she risked her own safety to help him. The unidentified 9-year-old girl texted her mother claiming their father, 33-year-old Andre Brown Jr., was mercilessly beating the 5-year-old boy. The situation understandably terrified the child, and thankfully, her mother took the allegation seriously. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigated the allegation and, based on the children’s accounts and physical evidence, had enough to arrest Brown. What he allegedly admitted to police might just be one of the vilest things we’ve ever heard.
The little girl texted her mom.
According to a release from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office posted to social media, the 9-year-old reportedly sent a message to her mother claiming Brown was physically abusing her and her brothers. The 5-year-old was getting the worst of their father’s wrath. “I’m scared, he’s whooping him so hard, I’m scared,” the child texted. When investigators talked to the children, they learned something shocking.
Brown apparently beat the 5-year-old because of his sexuality.
When investigators spoke to the children, they told them Brown beat the 5-year-old and slammed him to the ground “for being gay,” per the news release. The child reportedly had bruising all over his body consistent with being hit with a belt. Sadly, when investigators tried to speak with the child, he appeared withdrawn.
“The victim disclosed that he was afraid of Brown and did not want to say anything else,” the news release noted.
The other children also had signs of physical abuse.
The 9-year-old girl and another brother, whose age was not disclosed, also showed signs of physical abuse, including bruising and marks from a belt. According to the sheriff’s office, the littlest child had the biggest injuries.
“The 5-year-old victim had the most significant marks and bruising on his legs, arms, back, and stomach and also sustained a fracture on his right wrist and a contusion to his forehead,” the release explained.
Brown apparently had no shame in talking to police.
The sheriff’s office claimed Brown admitted to beating his 5-year-old son because of his sexuality. He reportedly said he would “beat the gay out of him if possible, but since it wasn’t possible, he would beat him more.” Because Brown admitted sexuality was the driving force, the abuse is considered a hate crime. The father, if you can even call him that, faces a life felony. Per Florida law, Brown could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
Sheriff Grady Judd shared a message of disgust. “This was a brutal and hateful attack on a defenseless child. There is absolutely no excuse for it. We will make sure justice is served and these children get the safety and support they deserve,” he stated in the news release.
That little boy probably owe his life to his sister. And bravo to her mother for believing her daughter and getting the authorities involved. Brown deserves nothing but the worst.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
