A Brooklyn man has been arrested and charged in a hate crime targeting a 12-year-old in Manhattan, according to police, in a case that authorities say dates back to the spring.
Investigators said the incident happened in April. Police say the man made anti-LGBTQIA plus statements and hit the child with a belt during the encounter.
The suspect now faces charges including hate crime assault and acting in a manner injurious to a child, according to police.
Authorities have not publicly identified the young victim, who was 12 years old at the time of the reported attack in Manhattan.
Hate crime charges are typically brought when investigators believe a person was targeted because of their identity, and the case will now move forward through the court system.