Inset: Anthony Salazar (Chatham County Jail). Background: The car wash near where Salazar's daughter flagged down police in Hinesville, Ga. (Google Maps).
A Georgia father was arrested after his 11-year-old daughter flagged down police and said she thought he was trying to kill her, according to law enforcement in the Peach State.
Anthony Salazar, 35, stands accused of one count each of child cruelty in the first degree and aggravated battery as well as two counts of cruelty to children in the third degree, according to the Hinesville Police Department.
The child contacted police on April 19 near a car wash on Elma G. Miles Parkway in Hinesville, a medium-sized city located roughly 42 miles southwest of Savannah.
After the girl flagged down a patrol vehicle, a police officer noted she was visibly distressed, according to an incident report obtained by Savannah-based CBS affiliate WTOC.
The child then said that her father had beaten her, according to law enforcement.
Next, police talked to the father. The man, for his part, did not dispute the allegation — telling officers he struck his daughter with a belt and that her injuries would be visible, police said. Indeed, officers noted the presence of severe bruising and welts on both of the girl's legs, according to the incident report.
Police said the defendant had been drinking earlier that day. During a subsequent search of the family's residence, investigators processed a black leather belt and a T-ball bat as evidence in the case.
At the time of the incident, the girl's two younger brothers, ages 6 and 7, were also in the house. The father told police he beat the girl as an example to the boys, according to the incident report.
The girl initially declined medical attention, police said. Instead, she told the officers that she was more concerned with the safety of her younger brothers, law enforcement said.
The children's mother was also present in the residence at the time of the incident, police noted. For that reason, child welfare authorities were not called to assess the situation.
Hinesville Police Chief Tracey Howard told WTOC the girl's bravery likely proved critical on the day in question. The chief also took the opportunity to address the community about child abuse.
"Be mindful of the lasting effects that it can have on a child and also what repeat behavior it can contribute to," Howard said.
Salazar was booked in Chatham County Jail and released two days later, the TV station reported this week. The defendant is subject to a no-contact order while out on bond.