CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Clearwater Police Department arrested a man for child abuse on Wednesday after he kissed and bit a child, according to arrest records.
Art Barreto, 43, is accused of kissing and biting the neck of an 11-year-old girl. The girl told police she was at her babysitters home when Barreto approached her in the kitchen.
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The victim says Barreto kissed her head and hugged her before kissing the nape of her neck, according to records. Then he bit her neck and asked the child if she liked how it felt, arrest records state.
The victim tried to back away, according to the arrest report, but Barreto reached his hands out to her. According to the report, Barreto grabbed her hand and pulled her close to him, then bit her on her right ear.
Records state he then bit her on the top of her right forearm and grabbed her by the arms, raising her up. Barreto tried to put her on the kitchen counter "bent over," according to the report.
Barreto told police he was sorry and admitted that the incident may have happened but he couldn't remember it. According to the arrest report, there was an indication that he was under the influence of alcohol.
Barreto was arrested on a child abuse charge with a $5,000 bond.
