NEW YORK (TNND) — A New York man was accused of whipping a 12-year-old boy with a belt and making anti-LGBTQIA+ remarks toward the child, according to authorities.
Kevin Maxwell (Photo: New York Police Department)
The New York Police Department (NYPD) on Sunday said 37-year-old Kevin Maxwell, of Brooklyn, was arrested on the following charges:
Two counts of hate crime/assaultTwo counts of assaultActing in manner injurious to a childHate crime/menacingMenacing
Authorities said the alleged attack happened on April 29 around 6 p.m. near a playground at the NYCHA Baruch Houses.
Police said Maxwell approached the 12-year-old boy and started yelling anti-LGBTQIA+ statements at the boy. Investigators said he then hit the child with a belt before leaving the scene.
The boy suffered minor injuries, police said.
The NYPD previously released a sketch of the suspect and asked for the public’s help in identifying him.
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Police said the alleged attack remains under investigation by the department’s Hate Crime Task Force.