DAVENPORT, Fla. (CBS12) — A Florida man is facing life felony charges after allegedly brutally assaulting a defenseless 5-year-old boy in an act of hate-fueled child abuse.

“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,” Sheriff Grady Judd said.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said that on Sunday, May 3, 33-year-old Andre Brown Jr. from Davenport was arrested for child abuse. According to officials, this charge has been categorized as a life felony because it is considered a hate crime.

According to the report, the investigation began when a 9-year-old girl, who was in Brown’s care, contacted her mother to report the abuse, saying, “I’m scared, he’s whooping him so hard, I’m scared.”

During interviews with the children in Browns care, it was revealed that Brown had been physically abusive toward a 5-year-old boy, specifically targeting him because he was “mad at him for being gay.”

Witness accounts indicate that Brown slammed the child to the ground and struck all three children with a belt.

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The Sheriff’s Office noted that the 5-year-old boy had visible marks on his body that matched the signs of being hit, along with severe bruising and a fractured wrist.

The girl reported having bruises on her arms, while another boy had bruises on his arms and legs. According to officials, the 5-year-old victim bore the most significant injuries, with bruising on his legs, arms, back, and stomach, and a contusion on his forehead.

Brown reportedly told deputies that he abused the child because of his sexual orientation, claiming he would “beat the gay out of him if possible.”

This led law enforcement to classify his crime as a hate crime, which resulted in upgraded charges.

When deputies tried to take him into custody, it was reported that Brown resisted and yelled slurs until he was eventually handcuffed.

He is now facing charges of aggravated child abuse and resisting arrest.