A former behavioral therapist in Arizona was arrested after he kicked a 5-year-old child with autism in the head, and the horrifying attack was caught on camera.
Adolfo Salas was conducting a one-on-one session with the victim, who has nonverbal autism, on June 1 at Soar Autism Center in Peoria, Arizona. At one point during the session, Salas, 42, sent a colleague an “SOS” message using a tablet, in which he said, “I accidentally kicked him in the face,” according to court records viewed by Arizona Family.
Salas allegedly told the employee that he meant to kick a chair, but accidentally hit the boy instead.
However, surveillance video obtained by KSAZ captured what actually happened. In the footage, Salas was seen with the boy in the middle of the floor as he appeared to show him how to place garbage in a garbage pail. The boy was crying, so Salas stood up and took the garbage pail. As the boy remained on the floor, Salas raised his right leg and kicked the victim in the face.
Police said that the boy started crying after the alleged kick and he was left with a bruise by his left eye. After he kicked the boy, Salas was reportedly seen staring the boy down as the child started to have an “emotional crisis.” The child reportedly spat on Salas, as well as threw objects at him before Salas pushed the boy against the wall.
The boy was later brought to the hospital for treatment and has since been released.
Following the incident, Salas was fired from Soar Autism Center and was arrested on Thursday, June 4. He has since been charged with aggravated assault of a minor.
Salas’ bail was set at $5,000 during his initial court appearance, and he was ordered to wear an ankle monitor if he was released. Additionally, Salas was ordered to stay away from his former workplace.
It is not currently clear if Salas has entered a plea or retained legal counsel. He is next scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, June 10.
The Peoria Police Department had no additional updates to share when contacted by Us Weekly.
After the incident took place at Soar Autism Center, the business issued a statement to the students’ families that confirmed Salas was fired immediately and they notified police about the incident.
“We have zero tolerance for this and any behavior that compromises the safety or well-being of the children entrusted to our care,” the statement said in part, according to KPHO.
