A St. Johns County man is charged with child cruelty after he allegedly slapped a child while trying to remove a loose tooth from a child's mouth, a St. Johns County Sheriff's Office report said.
Joshua Frank, 40, was arrested after the child's injuries were noticed by a preschool near Frank's home in Nocatee. The school contacted an abuse hotline after noting injuries to "both sides of her face," the police report said.
Police said Frank admitted to holding the child "between his left arm and body." He said he attempted to get the child's attention by slapping her in the the face, the report said.
The child's tooth fell out during the incident, the report said. Frank told police that the child had lost two prior teeth that fell on their own.
Frank was released on bail Wednesday after posting $3,500 bond.
Cox Media Group
