An Avondale man accused of abusing his girlfriend’s child alleges he was sleeping at the time and doesn't remember the assault.
Avondale Police report that on June 1 they responded to a home near Litchfield Road and Van Buren Street for a reported child abuse.
They reportedly located 30-year-old Danny Joseph Carmelo walking in the neighborhood.
In the house, they allegedly found an adolescent boy with, "red raised marks on his back between his neck and buttocks."
The boy also had bruises on his arm, thigh and the left side of his head.
Police say Carmelo told them that, "he remembers the victim waking him up this morning and saying, 'Dad stop hitting me.'"
He also allegedly told police that he has been "waking up" outside, not knowing what he’s doing.
When the boy's mother was told by a sibling about what happened. she confronted Carmelo who then left the home.
Carmelo has been charged with four counts of child abuse and possession of marijuana.
