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Deputy: Men Pummeled 3-Year-Old

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 7, 2007

SOUTH PASADENA - Two men were arrested this week after punishing a 3-year-old boy for vomiting in a car by repeatedly punching him during a three-hour period while watching a football game, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Gerel Valentine, 18, and Sean Murph, 26, both of 7021 1/2 Hibiscus Ave., were charged with aggravated child abuse with great bodily harm.

The child, who was severely bruised on his chest, back, neck and arms, was being treated at All Children's Hospital, jail affidavits state. His liver also was bruised, affidavits state.

Detectives say a relative of the child asked one of the men to discipline the boy after the child became ill and vomited in a car Monday. Detectives say the two took him to a bedroom in their home, used a chokehold on him and repeatedly punched him while watching a football game.

They also put him in a dark closet, said sheriff's spokeswoman Cecilia Barreda.

On Tuesday, another relative of the child noticed bruising and that he was in pain. The relative took him to All Children's Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment of severe abdominal injuries, Barreda said.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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