Man hit boy, 11, with whiffle bat but says boy hit him first

NEMACOLIN, Pa. – Police say a Pennsylvania man hit his girlfriend's 11-year-old son with a whiffle ball bat but told authorities he only did it because the boy "hit him first."

The (Washington) Observer-Reporter (http://bit.ly/24L0YRe ) reports that Cumberland Township police charged 34-year-old Adam D. Smith on Monday with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Police say Smith was arguing with the boy's mother when the boy grabbed the bat to defend her.

Police say Smith told the boy, "Go ahead and hit me with it," and the boy did, leaving a welt on Smith's neck.

Police say Smith then grabbed the bat and hit the boy on his left side, causing a welt the size of a softball.

Smith doesn't have an attorney and remains in the Greene County jail.

___

Information from: Observer-Reporter, http://www.observer-reporter.com