A Danbury man was charged Monday for using a leather belt on a young boy with a developmental disorder, according to a court affidavit.
The 11-year-old boy, who’s name is not being released, told a social worker at his school that Joao Fieschi, 43, had hit him with a leather belt when he refused to take a shower, the affidavit said.
Authorities at the school called the Danbury police after the boy showed them bruising on his inner thigh. The boy told police that the incident happened in early September.
The relation between Fieschi and the boy is unknown, but Fieschi does live with the boy and his mother, the affidavit said. When questioned by police, Fieschi said he did not hit him, but it was difficult to live with the boy due to his developmental disorder.
The boy has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, the affidavit said. Fieschi told police when he tells the boy to do something, he does not listen and he then gets frustrated.
The mother also told police that she was also frustrated with the boy and she heard Fieschi yelling the night of the incident, but did not see him hit the boy, the affidavit said.
Fieschi was charged with risk of injury to a child and assault in the third degree. He was released with a promise to appear and is due in Danbury Superior Court on Oct. 22.