Deer Park Man Accused Of Slapping Bully Who Teased Stepdaughter

DEER PARK, TX — A Deer Park man was arrested on Valentine's Day after he allegedly slapped a 12-year-old boy he said was bullying his stepdaughter.

James O. Peace, 37, was charged with felony injury to a child, according to the Deer Park Police.
Officials said the child called Peace and asked him to pick her up at school after a boy and one of his classmates began tormenting her while she was starting her walk home from school.

The child claimed the boy called her a transgender, threw ice cream at her and then threw small rocks at her, according to police.

While Peace and his stepdaughter were on the way home, police said Peace saw the boy and stopped to confront him.

The incident, which was caught on home video surveillance, showed Peace yelling at the boy, and then slapping him.

According to Peace, he went over to talk to the boy and told him to stop bullying his stepdaughter, but the boy "kept running his mouth," according to a KTRK report.

Officials said the boy had red marks and swelling to his face and upper jaw from being slapped.
Police said Peace threatened to come back and beat the boy up if he called the police.

Peace, who is currently free on bond, said he regrets letting his emotions get the better of him.

His stepdaughter, Presleigh Rigney, said victims of bullying should always tell someone, and not keep it to themselves.

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Image: Deer Park Police

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