St. Petersburg, FLORIDA — Deputies assigned to the Patrol Operations Bureau have charged a St. Petersburg man for aggravated child abuse, after the child was punched by the suspect causing the child to lose consciousness and fall to the ground.
Deputies responded to the Race Trac gas station located at 2551 54th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, in reference to a report of a male subject, 27-year-old Kolbe Wayne Smith, striking a female, identified as the 13 year-old victim. Detectives say, Smith who was not known to the 13 year-old victim walked in to the Race Trac store and struck the female victim unprovoked in the facial area with such force causing the female victim to lose consciousness and fall to the ground. Deputies say the parent of the child was outside pumping gas when the crime occurred.
Several citizens stood outside of the store and would not allow Smith to leave after witnessing the incident. After the first deputy arrived, deputies say they attempted to place Smith into custody, but he refused. Deputies continued efforts to gain control of Smith who continued to resist. Deputies utilized an electronic control weapon (TASER) to regain compliance of Smith along with the help of an unknown citizen and other deputies arriving on scene, Smith was taken into custody. Deputies say he appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance.
The 13 year-old victim was treated at the scene by EMS and released to her parents who refused transport for further medical treatment.
Smith received a small laceration on his head and left ear from striking the tile floor which required medical treatment at a nearby hospital. He was medically cleared, transported and booked into Pinellas County Jail.
Deputies say when Smith was questioned by them, he denied having any recollection of the incident and admitted to taking the drug “LSD”.
Deputies say Smith was charged with one count of Aggravated Child Abuse, Violation of Probation Felony Battery and Resisting Arrest without Violence.
The investigation continues.
