An Altha man was taken into custody Friday night, accused of abusing his four-year-old grandson.
William “Bill” Aguiar, Jr., 57, has been charged with child abuse. He remained in custody at the Calhoun County Jail at press time on a $5000 bond.
According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Dep. Scotty Norris and Dep. Bobby Sims responded to a home on Jack Lane just after 8 p.m. where Aguiar’s wife and their adult son said Bill was intoxicated. Bill’s son reported his four-year-old was taking a breathing treatment that evening when Bill allegedly held the treatment mask over the child’s face to the point it choked him. He further alleged his father squeezed the child and put a hand over his mouth while the boy shouted for his father. The adult son intervened, pulling his small son away from Bill. An altercation between Bill and his grown son ensued.
Bill’s wife said she gathered the children and ran outside to a truck when her husband reached for a shotgun. Bill’s grown son managed to keep his father from retrieving the weapon.
Bill’s wife corroborated her son’s account of the alleged choking incident during the breathing treatment on the grandson. She further alleged she saw her husband stretch across the bed, holding the four-year-old against his will and stating, “I’m going to win this battle!” as the child screamed for his father.
Bill was found inside the home and appeared unsteady on his feet, smelling of alcohol. He was taken into custody without incident.
