The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is investigating after a video of a father kicking a six-year old down a skate ramp went viral this weekend.
DCF spokesperson John Harrell initially said that someone with knowledge of the event would have to report the incident, but told First Coast News on April 28 that his office would be investigating.
The video, shot at Kona Skate Park in Jacksonville, shows Marcus Crossland kicking his son down a 15 foot skateboard ramp after the child hesitated to descend. The child can be heard crying after falling to the bottom, and a female voice says, "That's not even right." Crossland's son was not injured.
Instagram user Ryan "Bubba" Stephens, 13, posted the footage to his @lilbubs Instagram account on Friday. He added the comment, "Can't believe this dad pushed this little kid down big brown because he didn't drop in #peoplethesedays."
The half-pipe the child was kicked down is nicknamed "Big Brown."
The video was shared on First Coast News' Facebook page on April 26, and eventually appeared on "Good Morning America," "Today Show," and "Fox News," as well as Italian and British news outlets.
Kona Skate Park owner Martin Ramos said that Crossland's son, nicknamed "Dino the Dinosaur," is a skateboarding prodigy, and that Crossland was overzealous.
"Unfortunately parents get so enthusiastic about their kids and their abilities in skateboarding, or baseball, or football or whatever and sometimes they take it a little too far," Ramos told First Coast News.
He also said that Crossland, although apologetic, is temporarily banned from the premises.
"He [Crossland] said he was just caught up in the moment," Ramos explained. "He seemed very remorseful. He certainly understands the gravity of the situation and it seems like he is going to be answering to this thing for quite some time to come."
Crossland told First Coast News that the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office also wants to speak with him.
