An Arizona man who worked as a behavioral therapist was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after allegedly kicking a 5-year-old boy with nonverbal autism during a session.
Adolfo Salas, 42, was fired from his job at Soar Autism Center in Peoria, Arizona, after the June 1 incident. Court records show he sent a colleague a message saying he had accidentally kicked the child in the face, claiming he had meant to kick a chair instead. Surveillance video obtained by police captured Salas raising his leg and kicking the boy, who was on his hands and knees. The child suffered a bruise near his left eye, cried, and later had an emotional crisis before being taken to a hospital and released. Salas was arrested at his home on June 4. During his first court appearance, Deputy County Attorney Ashley Stetson noted the importance of the recording in advocating for the child. Salas was released on $5,000 bail with conditions including an ankle monitor and a ban from his former workplace. He is scheduled to appear in court again on June 10 and June 12.