Missouri Man Allegedly Beat Teen Having a Seizure — Now He’s Charged with Child Abuse

A Missouri man has been charged with felony child abuse after allegedly assaulting a 15-year-old boy who was having a seizure. Matthew A. Proctor, 41, is currently facing the serious charge following the disturbing incident. The events unfolded when Kansas City police responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence around 11 a.m. on July 29.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers were informed by the homeowner that Proctor had arrived at her home in an agitated state, claiming that someone had spoken disrespectfully to him over the phone. According to a probable cause statement obtained by PEOPLE, Proctor then proceeded to ask for his children, at which point the teenage victim came outside and shouted at him.

The situation quickly escalated when Proctor allegedly struck the teen in the face multiple times with a closed fist, causing the victim to fall to the ground. Shockingly, Proctor continued to assault the teen even as he began to experience a seizure, hitting him two more times in the face. Subsequently, Proctor fled the scene with one of his sons before being apprehended by authorities.

The 15-year-old victim was rushed to Children’s Mercy Hospital for medical attention, where he was treated for a concussion and jaw pain stemming from the brutal attack. Prior to the incident, the teen and his family had plans to visit Worlds of Fun, a popular theme park in Kansas City, highlighting the devastating impact of the assault on their day.

During police questioning, Proctor claimed that the teen had struck him in the mouth twice before he retaliated by punching him in the head. However, the evidence presented contradicted his account, with a surveillance camera capturing Proctor approaching the victim and striking him repeatedly in the head and face, even as the victim fell to the ground.

As the case progresses, a bond hearing for Proctor has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 6, where further details of the incident are expected to come to light. The gravity of the situation underscores the importance of addressing and preventing instances of child abuse in all forms, and the legal system’s role in holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

Incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of children and the need for swift and decisive action to protect them from harm. The community’s response to such cases also plays a crucial role in ensuring that justice is served and that victims receive the support and care they deserve in the aftermath of such traumatic events.

The prosecution of Matthew A. Proctor for felony child abuse sheds light on the broader issue of safeguarding children from harm and the responsibility each individual has in creating a safe environment for young people to thrive. As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on upholding justice and advocating for the well-being of all children within our communities.