PANAMA CITY BEACH — A Tennessee man has been arrested for allegedly slapping an infant in the face while in the arms of a family member, according to Bay County Sheriff’s Office arrest records.
David E. Pogue, 51, was arrested Monday on a charge of cruelty toward a child and abuse without great harm on a 6-month-old child. Pogue allegedly slapped the child at about 1:55 p.m. with an open hand on the right side of the face after a confrontation over a parking spot with family members of the child at 19947 Front Beach Road, according to BCSO officers.
The confrontation allegedly occurred while the family was attempting to take a family portrait on the beach, officers reported. The infant was in the arms of a family member when Pogue allegedly struck the family member in the neck with one open palm and then struck the infant in the face with the other hand, according to arrest reports.
Officers reported “there was an obvious redness and swelling on the right side of the infant’s face. …” The injuries were photographed and turned in as evidence.
Pogue denied hitting anyone when interviewed by the officers.