PHOENIX — A Phoenix man is accused of abusing his teenage step-daughter by striking her with a plastic window blind rod.
Phoenix police report that on October 24, Anthony San Miguel Morales Jr. used a plastic window blind rod to striking his teenage step-daughter over 20 times.
Police say the teen had bruises to her upper and lower legs, her back, and both side of her thighs. The victim reportedly told police that she counted the number of times she was struck but "lost count after twenty."
After the rod broke, Morales allegedly continued beating the girl using a belt. The girl's mother stepped in to try and stop the assault, court records show.
Upon his arrest, Morales allegedly admitted to the attack, saying he has anger issues.
He has been charged with child abuse.
If you suspect a child is being abused, the Arizona Department of Child Services has resources available to report the issue to a social worker. You can call the Arizona Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445), and will be asked for information about the child, as well as the nature of your concerns. You can also get more information from DCS about reporting abuse or neglect online.
