PEORIA, AZ (AZFamily) — A former behavioral therapist is accused of kicking an autistic child in the face during a one-on-one session at a care facility in Peoria.
Peoria police arrested 42-year-old Adolfo Salas of Glendale on felony charges of child abuse and aggravated assault of a minor, according to newly released court documents.
The alleged incident happened just before 2 p.m. at Soar Autism Center, located on 83rd Avenue near Bell Road. Police were notified that an employee, a master registered behavioral technician (MRBT), had kicked a 5-year-old, non-verbal child in the face.
According to court documents, staff provided surveillance video of the encounter to police. The video reportedly shows the crying child picking up trash from the floor and placing it in a trash can. Salas, who was seen kneeling down next to the child, grabbed the trash can and said “thank you” as he stood.
While the child is still on his hands and knees, documents say Salas is seen drawing his right leg back and extending it toward the child’s head. Although the child is not visible because the camera was positioned behind Salas, officers said the child can be heard crying.
Police said the footage then shows Salas staring at the child, who appeared to go into an “emotional crisis.” The child is reportedly seen spitting on Salas and throwing objects at him before Salas backed the boy against the wall.
During the incident, Salas reportedly used a tablet to send an “SOS” message to another employee, who soon entered the room. Documents say Salas told his coworker, “I accidentally kicked him in the face,” adding that he meant to kick a chair out of the way but struck the child instead.
Salas was told to leave the room while the other employee consoled the child, who police said appeared visibly upset.
The 5-year-old was taken to a hospital and treated for a small bruise beneath his left eye.
Peoria police said the department’s SWAT team took Salas into custody at his home Thursday. Investigators said he declined to answer questions and requested an attorney.
Prosecutors with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office asked that Salas’ bond be set at $100,000 due to the circumstances behind the incident.
“Had there not been some sort of video recording, which did allegedly record the incident, there was no way for this child to be able to tell anyone about the assault,” said Ashley Stetson of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
A judge ultimately set Salas’ bond at $5,000 with a stipulation that if released, he must wear a monitoring ankle bracelet. He is not allowed to go back to the care center, where he no longer works.
Salas will again appear in front of a judge on June 10.
“We have zero tolerance for this and any behavior that compromises the safety or well-being of the children entrusted to our care,” said a portion of a message sent to Soar families.
The message also said that staff took immediate action in firing Salas and notifying police.
