The owner of a martial arts studio in Davie was arrested on a child abuse charge after police say he threw an 8-year-old boy to the ground, leaving him badly bruised.
Richard Hartman, 65, was arrested Wednesday on one count of child abuse without great bodily harm in the incident that happened on Jan. 3 at his Dynamic Family Martial Arts studio, Davie Police said.
Police said the studio was acting as a day care camp for kids who were out of school on winter break when an 8-year-old boy became upset after losing a game and punched a wall in frustration.
Hartman became angry and grabbed the boy then threw him to the ground, police said. He then picked the boy up and dragged him to an office where he violently threw him into a chair, police said.
The boy began to cry and another student started to record the incident on a cell phone, as Hartman yelled "stop that crying" and was shaking the boy, police said.
"In this case the video is crucial. We get to see how brutal of an attack this was on this 8-year-old boy," Davie Police Sgt. Mark Leone said.
Police released photos of the boy that show bruises on his forearm and knee.
"It is disturbing. Especially with young children, you have to have a little more of a calm demeanor if you're going to be running a business that's going to be keeping these kids there as a camp," Leone said.
Hartman was booked into jail, and attorney information wasn't available. His bio on the studio's website says he's a fourth-degree black belt with more than 20 years of experience.
Hartman was released on bond late Thursday.
Police are asking anyone whose children have attended any function at the studio and may have had a similar incident to call them at 954-693-8200.
