Father of 5 accused of punching, kicking 12-year-old child in supermarket

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) - A Connecticut man is facing several charges for assaulting and kicking his 12-year-old child.

New Haven police said 42-year-old Kareem Smalls was arrested Thursday after reports came in from Key Foods supermarket on Greenwich Avenue about an assault.

According to authorities, the father of five was seen at the store kicking, punching, and hitting a young girl in the head with keys while she was on the ground.

Video footage obtained from the market also showed Smalls dragging the child by her hair, the police department said.

According to officers, when they arrived a large crowd had surrounded Smalls and was tending to the injured child.

Witnesses told police that Smalls also had a box cutter on him.

Police ordered Smalls to the ground and told him to put his hands behind his back, but he refused and tried to take off from the scene.

Officers said they could see the box cutter in Smalls’ pocket before a K-9 was deployed, which assisted in him being taken into custody.

Authorities said the female child had swelling to her arms and face and complained of head and leg pain from being kicked.

The 42-year-old father is facing charges that include second-degree assault, risk of injury to a minor and interfering with an officer.

Smalls faced a judge on Friday where his bond was set at $250,000.

“Given the nature of the injuries here, given the nature of the charges, given the fact there is a continued investigation that could result in more warrants, the state thinks $250,000 is too low,” prosecutor Joseph LaMotta said.

LaMotta added that based on the child appearing to have prior injuries there could be additional charges as she remained in the hospital.

The Connecticut Department of Children and Families has also been contacted regarding the situation.

Court officials said Smalls is a convicted felon for previous crimes that involved guns. He has been ordered to return to court on Aug. 19.

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