Police arrest man who allegedly choked girlfriend's 2-year-old son

(Courtesy of the Layton City Police Department)


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LAYTON — Police arrested a man who allegedly abused his girlfriend's 2-year-old son Tuesday afternoon at a Woods Cross home, police said.

Zachary Brown, 29, was in his girlfriend's home with her 2-year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter when the incident occurred Friday morning, according to the Layton City Police Department. Investigators said the 30-year-old woman went looking for Brown in the morning when she woke up and noticed he was no longer in bed with her.

"She walked downstairs and discovered Mr. Brown restraining the 2-year-old child in an abusive way and choking him by holding him up by his throat," a statement from the Layton City Police Department reads.

When the woman confronted Brown, he claimed he wasn't trying to harm the toddler, according to Layton Police Lt. Travis Lyman. Investigators said the man was carrying the boy by his neck while walking out of a bathroom.

The woman, who requested she not be identified, said Tuesday that Brown tried to convince her that he and the boy "were just playing."

"(I said), 'We don't play with kids that way,'" the woman said.

The woman left the home with her two children after an argument, police said.

The boy was examined by medical professionals at the Children's Justice Center and Primary Children's Hospital after his mother reported the incident at the Layton Police Department, according to investigators. They said he was able to return home with his mother.

There were also other marks found on the boy that could be related to prior abuse, Lyman said. An investigation was ongoing Tuesday.

The toddler's mother claims her son also "had tissues shoved in his mouth" when she discovered him with Brown. She said she was stunned by Brown's behavior.

Based on tips from the public, Brown was found at a Woods Cross home Tuesday afternoon and arrested.

Police thank the public for their help.

Contributing: Sandra Yi, Ben Lockhart

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