Texas Father Beats Daughter's Abuser to Death, May Not Face Charges
By: Jack Maddox, CNN
Updated: June 11, 2012
A Texas father caught a man sexually assaulting his 4-year-old daughter and punched him in the head repeatedly, killing him, authorities said.
The father was casually acquainted with the alleged abuser, said Lavaca County Sheriff Micah Harmon.
Neither has been publicly identified.
The girl was left inside the family's house during the social gathering, while other members of her family were tending to horses, the sheriff said.
The alleged abuser was known for his horse-grooming abilities, Harmon said.
The father returned to the house, caught the man in the act, and stopped him by striking him in the head several times, Harmon said.
The man was pronounced dead on the scene, while the daughter was taken to a local hospital in Victoria, Texas, for examinations before being released.
The incident took place Saturday.
Harmon described the girl as "OK besides the obvious mental trauma."
Asked whether they would press charges against the father, the sheriff responded, "You have a right to defend your daughter. He acted in defense of his third person. Once the investigation is completed we will submit it to the district attorney who then submits it to the grand jury, who will decide if they will indict him."
Harmon described the dad as "very remorseful," adding that he didn't know the man was going to die.
Authorities were withholding the deceased man's name while they notified next of kin. Officials did not know immediately if he has a prior criminal history.
The father was casually acquainted with the alleged abuser, said Lavaca County Sheriff Micah Harmon.
Neither has been publicly identified.
The girl was left inside the family's house during the social gathering, while other members of her family were tending to horses, the sheriff said.
The alleged abuser was known for his horse-grooming abilities, Harmon said.
The father returned to the house, caught the man in the act, and stopped him by striking him in the head several times, Harmon said.
The man was pronounced dead on the scene, while the daughter was taken to a local hospital in Victoria, Texas, for examinations before being released.
The incident took place Saturday.
Harmon described the girl as "OK besides the obvious mental trauma."
Asked whether they would press charges against the father, the sheriff responded, "You have a right to defend your daughter. He acted in defense of his third person. Once the investigation is completed we will submit it to the district attorney who then submits it to the grand jury, who will decide if they will indict him."
Harmon described the dad as "very remorseful," adding that he didn't know the man was going to die.
Authorities were withholding the deceased man's name while they notified next of kin. Officials did not know immediately if he has a prior criminal history.
Comments
Good call! We feel a grand jury should not press charges, this was a passionate response by a daddy for his baby daughter. Justice today isn't what it should be. The dead man got what he deserved! As Messiah said, "what you do to one of these little children, you do unto me." If the pervert had lived, he should have been stoned anyway! A nation falls when the defenseless are not defended...Now let's discuss why all the rapists and molesters are sitting in jails, when they should also be asleep in the grave. Any loving, protecting, passionate dad would have done the same thing. I wish my dad had been alive to save me from my molesting step dad! The children don't even feel safe in the public schools anymore! Why?...because there is little love and compassion for america's children anymore.
money c.
June 12, 2012 at 7:08 pm
I agree with Sherry D, and applaud Sheriff Harmon. So sorry this baby girl had to see that, but in time she will know that her father did the right thing.
Karen H.
June 11, 2012 at 3:21 pm
He absolutely should not be charged, if things happened like he said. GOOD for a Sherriff with common sense!
Sherry D.
June 11, 2012 at 2:59 pm
