MESA, AZ — Police say bystanders watched as a father slammed his child onto the sidewalk near a school and then left her there.
Mesa police report that on April 5, 34-year-old Jason Ray Thomas, and his daughter, a 3-year-old, were picking up the girl's 5-year-old sister from school near Country Club Drive and Main Street.
Witnesses reported to police Thomas was seen taking his daughter from her stroller and "forcefully slamming her to the sidewalk."
"He then walked away, abandoning her on the roadway," according to court documents.
Police say Thomas was later seen pushing the stroller to the ground with the child inside, before walking away once again.
Court records say that bruising was seen on the child’s face.
Thomas has been charged with two counts of child abuse.
If you suspect a child is being abused, the Arizona Department of Child Services has resources available to report the issue to a social worker. You can call the Arizona Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445), and will be asked for information about the child, as well as the nature of your concerns. You can also get more information from DCS about reporting abuse or neglect online.
