Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Munu

(267 posts)
Sun May 17, 2026, 07:37 PM 3 hrs ago

'Beat the gay out of him:' 5-year-old attacked in hate crime case, Polk sheriff says

‘Beat the gay out of him:’ 5-year-old attacked in hate crime case, Polk sheriff says
News 6 Orlando

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Davenport man was arrested after beating a 5-year-old boy in what has now been described as a hate crime, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

In a release, deputies said that the investigation kicked off after a 9-year-old in the man’s care contacted her mother, advising that he was abusing her and the other two children in the home.

During screenings, the children explained that the man — identified as 33-year-old Andre Brown — had gotten mad at the 5-year-old “for being gay” and slammed him on the ground several times, deputies added.

“He then got upset with the two other children for an alleged past occurrence and began striking all three children with a belt,” the release reads. “Deputies made contact with the 5-year-old boy, who had marks all over his body, which were consistent with being hit with a belt.”

Investigators reported that the 5-year-old had the most significant marks and bruising on his legs, arms, back and stomach, also sustaining a fracture on his right wrist and a contusion to his forehead.

However, the 5-year-old victim told investigators that he was afraid of Brown and didn’t want to say anything else, the release states.

Meanwhile, Brown reportedly told deputies that he decided to beat the victim because he was gay, stating he would “beat the gay out of him if it was possible, but since it wasn’t possible, he would beat him more.”

...


How was the kid gay? Was he even gay? The answer is -- IT DOES NOT MATTER!

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
'Beat the gay out of him:' 5-year-old attacked in hate crime case, Polk sheriff says (Original Post) Munu 3 hrs ago OP
The kid is 5 years old! He probably barely knows his address. The man deserves no mercy Deuxcents 2 hrs ago #1
Question: With his lengthy criminal background, WHY were those niyad 2 hrs ago #2
Probably mom's unemployed boyfriend. LoisB 1 hr ago #4
Almost certainly. ShazzieB 39 min ago #12
I wonder what kind of attractions this guy is trying to hide from himself. Maraya1969 2 hrs ago #3
That was my first thought BeneteauBum 1 hr ago #6
Exactly. calimary 44 min ago #8
Horrific. 58Sunliner 1 hr ago #5
So can someone beat the hate out of this asshole. Randomthought 49 min ago #7
I suspect a different kind of abuse may also have been going on. Joinfortmill 43 min ago #9
A dreadful, but all too likely, thought. niyad 27 min ago #14
I wouldn't jump to any conclusions. ShazzieB 22 min ago #15
This crime has been defined as a hate crime. ShazzieB 42 min ago #10
"" AllaN01Bear 41 min ago #11
This damn society does not help women how to know an abuser but are willing to blame her while making Stargazer99 36 min ago #13
You are quite correct. And I should have put my question more niyad 4 min ago #16

Deuxcents

(27,673 posts)
1. The kid is 5 years old! He probably barely knows his address. The man deserves no mercy
Sun May 17, 2026, 08:22 PM
2 hrs ago

niyad

(134,003 posts)
2. Question: With his lengthy criminal background, WHY were those
Sun May 17, 2026, 08:30 PM
2 hrs ago

children in his care? WTAF???

ShazzieB

(22,869 posts)
12. Almost certainly.
Sun May 17, 2026, 10:01 PM
39 min ago

It seems overwhelming likely to me that this pos was the mom's boyfriend. The article doesn't say that in so many words, but it also doesn't say he was a relative or a friend, just that the children were "in his care." I'd be quite surprised to learn that he was NOT the boyfriend. I've read too many stories about kids being abused or even killed while while in the care of a boyfriend or stepfather. This kind of thing is depressingly common.

BeneteauBum

(773 posts)
6. That was my first thought
Sun May 17, 2026, 09:10 PM
1 hr ago

So many times they loudest detractors are hiding something.

Peace ☮️

ShazzieB

(22,869 posts)
15. I wouldn't jump to any conclusions.
Sun May 17, 2026, 10:18 PM
22 min ago

This pos has an extensive criminal record that includes many violent acts (Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Aggravated Battery, Battery 2nd Offense, Aggravated Battery on Pregnant Person, Felony Battery, Domestic Battery Strangulation, Battery-Causing Bodily Harm, Dating Violence, Battery Touch/Strike, Battery on LEO (x4), Resisting an Officer w/ Violence), but no nention of sexual assault on a person of any age. I suspect he's just a mean, hateful, nasty piece of work who reacts to anything that displeases him with violence. Not every evil, violent person is a pedophile.

Note: The above partial list of Brown's criminal offenses is from the following source: https://www.polksheriff.org/news-investigations/2026/05/04/davenport-man-arrested-for-child-abuse-penalty-enhanced-due-to-hate-crime

ShazzieB

(22,869 posts)
10. This crime has been defined as a hate crime.
Sun May 17, 2026, 09:58 PM
42 min ago

The story left some questions in my mind, so I googled and found an article with some additional details: https://www.polksheriff.org/news-investigations/2026/05/04/davenport-man-arrested-for-child-abuse-penalty-enhanced-due-to-hate-crime

Due to Brown maliciously beating the child and causing a fracture to his right wrist for the belief of being gay, this crime is classified as a hate crime, and has been enhanced one degree.


I presume the "enhancement" means he'll be eligible for a stiffer penalty to which I say; "Good." With his extensive criminal record, he'll probably be going away for a very long time.

Stargazer99

(3,563 posts)
13. This damn society does not help women how to know an abuser but are willing to blame her while making
Sun May 17, 2026, 10:05 PM
36 min ago

it difficult to survive as a single mother

niyad

(134,003 posts)
16. You are quite correct. And I should have put my question more
Sun May 17, 2026, 10:36 PM
4 min ago

clearly. With that scum's record, why the fuck wasn't he in prison where he belonged?

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»LGBT»'Beat the gay out of him:...