A Kansas City man has been charged with child abuse after allegedly punching his 15-year-old son in the face several times, causing the teen to have a seizure, and continuing to strike him while he was on the ground. The incident has led to the man’s arrest and an ongoing investigation by authorities.
Details of the Incident
The violent altercation occurred on Tuesday morning just before 11 a.m. when Matthew Proctor, 41, showed up at a house where his children were staying.
According to police, Proctor was upset over a phone call he had with someone at the residence and arrived to confront them. The situation quickly escalated when Proctor’s 15-year-old son came outside and yelled at him.
Proctor allegedly hit his son in the face with a closed fist three times, causing the boy to fall to the ground. Soon after, the teen began having a seizure, but Proctor continued to punch him twice more in the face.
The incident was witnessed by several people, many of whom were minors. Their statements corroborated the homeowner’s account and helped authorities build their case against Proctor.
Witnesses and Evidence
A witness revealed that the family had planned to visit the Worlds of Fun theme park that day, but a heated phone conversation between Proctor and a child led to his outburst.
Prior to arriving, Proctor allegedly made violent threats, telling people at the residence that he would “beat someone’s a–” once he got there. The tension was high, with one of the children reportedly concerned because Proctor had previously “punched the air out of his lungs.”
The violence began after Proctor arrived. His eldest daughter reportedly hit him in the back during the altercation, and soon after, Proctor took his youngest son and drove away from the scene.
The 15-year-old, however, was left with serious injuries. Police said the teen was observed with swelling, bruising on both sides of his face, and a concussion, before being taken to a nearby children’s hospital for treatment.
Proctor’s Arrest and Statements
After the incident, Proctor fled the scene, but was arrested 35 minutes later at a different residence. When police spoke with him, Proctor claimed that he had been hit first and only hit his son once in response. However, the teen’s injuries contradicted Proctor’s statements.
When informed of the severity of the boy’s injuries, Proctor denied causing them, suggesting the injuries could have come from the fall to the ground.
A neighbor’s Ring doorbell camera captured footage of the fight, showing a man matching Proctor’s description and attire approaching the victim before the teen exited the house.
The video showed Proctor striking the teen twice in the face, followed by another punch while the boy was on the ground. The footage did not show the teen hitting Proctor at any point during the altercation.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Proctor has been charged with child abuse for his actions. Police believe he poses a continued threat to the victim, and he is currently being held on a $75,000 bond.
His next court appearance is scheduled for August 6. The disturbing nature of the attack, especially with the teen suffering a seizure, has raised serious concerns for the safety of the victim and others in the home.
This violent incident highlights the dangers of domestic conflict escalating into physical abuse. Proctor’s actions have left his son with serious injuries, and the evidence against him is strong.
The legal process will determine the consequences of his behavior, but the case serves as a reminder of the potential harm that can result from unchecked anger and violence in family situations.
