Matthew Proctor, a 41-year-old man, has been charged with child abuse after allegedly assaulting a teenager, causing him to have a seizure. Proctor was subsequently arrested and is currently being held at the Jackson County Detention Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
The incident reportedly took place just before 11 a.m. on a Tuesday. Proctor had arrived at a residence where his children were staying, apparently upset over a disrespectful phone conversation. The homeowner reported to the Kansas City Police Department that Proctor had demanded to see his children. When his son came outside and confronted him, the altercation ensued.
According to the police’s probable cause statement, the identity of the victim was redacted, but it is believed to be Proctor’s 15-year-old son who had come out of the house to confront his father. Proctor allegedly punched the minor in the face three times, causing him to fall to the ground. The minor then began to have a seizure, during which Proctor allegedly hit him two more times.
Witnesses, including several minors, corroborated the homeowner’s account, providing additional details that helped the authorities build their case. The family had reportedly planned to visit a local theme park that day, but a heated phone conversation between Proctor and a child at the residence led to his unexpected visit.
Before his arrival, Proctor allegedly threatened violence. One person at the residence, believed to be the minor who was assaulted or his younger brother, was reportedly concerned due to a previous incident where Proctor had allegedly caused him physical harm.
Upon Proctor’s arrival, a fight broke out. Proctor’s eldest daughter reportedly intervened, hitting him in the back. Proctor then left the scene with his youngest son. When police arrived, the 15-year-old boy was being taken to an ambulance with visible injuries, including a red mark and swelling on the left side of his face, injuries on both sides of his face, his jaw, and a concussion. He was transported to a nearby children’s hospital.
Proctor was arrested approximately 35 minutes later at a different location. He claimed he was the one who was hit first, sustaining minor redness on his lower lip. He maintained that he only hit the minor once and suggested that the injuries could have been from the fall.
A neighbor’s Ring doorbell camera reportedly captured the altercation. When informed of this, Proctor was uncertain if the footage would support his version of events. The video allegedly shows a man matching Proctor’s description approaching someone on the porch steps before the minor exited the house. The minor never appeared to hit Proctor, according to the police.
Proctor has been charged and is considered a threat to the victim by the police. He is currently being held on a $75,000 bond, with his next court date scheduled for August 6.