Behavioral therapist claimed he 'accidentally' kicked 5-year-old with autism in the head, but video showed otherwise: Police

An Arizona antheral who formerly worked arsenic a behavioral therapist for children with peculiar needs was accused of assaulting a child.

Adolfo Salas, 42, was fired from his presumption astatine Soar Autism Center successful Peoria, Arizona, pursuing an alleged incidental involving a pupil connected June 1. According to tribunal records obtained by section CBS affiliate KPHO, Salas was conducting a one-on-one league with a 5-year-old boy with nonverbal autism. At immoderate constituent during the session, Salas sent a now-former workfellow astatine the halfway an "SOS" connection utilizing a tablet, telling the employee, "I accidentally kicked him successful the face."

Police said Salas besides told the worker that helium meant to footwear a seat and inadvertently struck the boy. But surveillance video captured what really happened.

In surveillance video obtained by section Fox affiliate KSAZ, Salas tin beryllium seen with the lad successful the mediate of the floor, appearing to amusement the lad however to spot garbage successful a garbage pail. According to tribunal documents, the lad was crying. While the lad continued to cry, Salas stood and took the garbage pail, telling the boy, "Thank you."

The video past appeared to amusement Salas raising his close limb and kicking the boy, who was inactive connected his hands and knees connected the floor, successful the face. Police said the lad could beryllium heard crying aft the alleged kick, and helium had a bruise by his near eye. After the alleged kick, Salas was reportedly captured staring the lad down arsenic the lad began having an "emotional crisis." The kid reportedly spat connected Salas and threw objects astatine him earlier Salas backed the lad against the wall.

Police said the lad was brought to the infirmary and past released.

During Salas' archetypal tribunal appearance, Deputy County Attorney Ashley Stetson said, "Had determination not been that recording, determination would beryllium nary 1 to advocator for this child, for the kid cannot communicate."

Salas was arrested astatine his location connected June 4 and charged with aggravated battle of a minor.

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KPHO obtained a connection sent from Soar Autism Center to the students' families that said Salas was fired instantly and constabulary were notified erstwhile they recovered retired astir the incident. The connection work successful part, "We person zero tolerance for this and immoderate behaviour that compromises the information oregon well-being of the children entrusted to our care."

His bail was acceptable astatine $5,000 during his tribunal appearance, and helium was ordered to deterioration an ankle show if helium was released. He was besides ordered not to spell to his erstwhile workplace. He is scheduled to look successful tribunal again connected June 10 and 12.