.png)
4 months ago
21
Footage shows the moment a Mercedes driver slapped a child for bending the car's hood ornament.
The unidentified motorist is seen smacking the boy seconds after surveying the damage, which would cost around $500 to fix.
The car itself costs just north of $146,000, and was purchased just over a year ago from a dealership in Southern California, a vehicle history report shows.
The filmed attack appeared to take place in the same region, cedars, palm trees, and street signs seen in the background suggest - as does the perp's license plate, which was shared by the person behind the camera afterwards.
In the footage, the boy's Spanish-speaking mother tells the sunglass-clad driver 'sorry, [my son] is autistic' - after which he slaps the boy and walks off. As of writing, it is currently unclear exactly when and where the incident took place.
Footage shows the moment a Mercedes driver slapped a child for bending the car's hood ornament
The unidentified motorist is seen smacking the boy seconds after surveying the damage, which would cost around $500 to fix
'Sorry, he is autistic', the woman is heard saying in the clip, which has yet to be reported on by a news outlet. 'He has special needs.'
The man, not swayed, proceeds to move towards the mother and child, as the woman is seen trying to simultaneously calm the boy and plead his case.
Within seconds, the man is standing over the two, and quickly cocks his hand back and strikes the boy's face with an open palm.
He proceeds to point his finger at the now-cowering youngster, before walking off and returning to his car.
A voice is heard shouting, in English, 'What the f**k's wrong with you?' as the man doubles back to once again survey the damage.
He grabs at the almost-dismembered ornament before again heading to the S-Class's driver's side door, seemingly shaking his head in disgust.
'No, stop him!' a female voice is heard shouting as he opens the door ready to drive off, where he appears to chide another onlooker before taking his seat.
The man goes on to drive off, but not before the person recording the encounter got a good look at his license plate.
The filmed attack appeared to take place in Southern California, cedars, palm trees, and street signs seen in the background suggest - as does the perp's license plate, which was shared by the person behind the camera afterwards
In the footage, the boy's Spanish-speaking mother tells the sunglass-clad driver 'sorry, [my son] is autistic - he has special needs'
The man proceeds to slap the boy and walk off. As of writing, it is currently unclear when and where exactly the incident took place
The car itself costs just north of $146,000, and was purchased just over a year ago from a dealership in Southern California , a vehicle history report shows
The man goes on to drive off, but not before the person recording the encounter got a good look at his license plate. He has yet to be identified
They also shared a still of the man's slightly bent Mercedes insignia, which appeared to be the only damage done.
As of writing, it remains unclear if a police report was filed, as footage of the incident makes rounds on social media.
Meanwhile, public records indicated car was purchased in Valencia in April of 2024, at the Mercedes-Benz of Valencia.
The sedan is a 2023 built in Germany, was bought for a price tag of $146,350.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the California Highway Patrol to see whether the plate is linked to any active criminal cases.
The middle-aged man seen in the footage has yet to be identified. He could be charged with battery of a minor, which, depending on the trauma administered, could be treated as a misdemeanor or a felony.
If found guilty, he could face as much as six years in jail.
English (US)