Hawthorne man arrested for child abuse

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

Wallace Antonio Lee, Sr., 41, was arrested last night on a charge of child abuse without great bodily harm.

According to forensic interviews conducted with the victim and family members, Lee had been living with the family for about two years, although according to State records, he is a Florida sexual offender with a registered address in Baker County. According to Baker County court records, he was released from jail there shortly before the alleged child abuse incident was reported on March 4.

The victim said he had been arguing with his sister, and Lee chased him with a belt. Then Lee allegedly grabbed him by his bicep and dragged him for a short distance, then pulled him into the house. The victim said that Lee then began hitting him on the front of his legs with the belt. A witness reported seeing bruises on the victim’s legs.

Post Miranda, Lee admitted to chasing the child while holding a belt and grabbing his arm, but he denied hitting the child with the belt. Lee is being held on $50,000 bail.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.