LCPD: Man slapped girl every time she mispronounced a word

A Las Cruces man is accused of slapping a 6-year-old girl every time she mispronounced a word while doing homework.

Evan Rios, 26, is charged with one count of child abuse, a third-degree felony, police said.

Police were dispatched to a local elementary school on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017 after staff learned the girl was possibly abused.

Investigators learned Rios was helping the girl practice her sight words. He allegedly slapped the girl every time she mispronounced a word, approximately 21 times, police said.

Investigators observed prominent redness and marks on the left side of the girl’s neck and behind her left ear, police said.

Rios, who is not related to the girl, was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he’s initially being held without bond.