A Florida man has been arrested after he was caught on video pinning an 11-year-old girl to the ground, accusing her of egging his apartment in a confrontation that officials are calling “reprehensible.”
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says the incident happened Saturday afternoon in Tampa, when 43-year-old Marius Mutu confronted the young girl near his apartment complex. According to officials, Mutu thought the girl had been involved in repeated egging incidents at his home.
VIDEO
Video of the incident shows the girl crying out for help as Mutu holds her down. “I wasn’t doing anything, I swear to God!” the girl pleads. “Help me! Help me!”
At one point, Mutu is heard yelling, “She’s the one who egged my apartment!” before neighbors intervened.
A woman can be heard in the video saying, “I’m recording. Get off of her!” Seconds later, a man runs up and demands Mutu let the girl go: “Hey, hey, get your hands off of her!”
Mutu later told deputies that he assumed the girl was responsible because his apartment had been egged previously and it had just happened again that day. Deputies say he chased her, forced her to the ground, and restrained her until other adults stepped in.
He was arrested and booked on suspicion of battery and false imprisonment. He has since been released.
“This type of behavior is not only unacceptable, it’s reprehensible,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “The safety of our children is non-negotiable. This child endured a terrifying and traumatic experience at the hands of someone who chose to take matters into his own hands. We remain committed to protecting our children and ensuring those who harm them are held fully accountable.”
