US man faces child abuse raps in Argao

Police arrested an American resident for allegedly attacking a 28-year-old person with disability in barangay Poblacion, Argao, southern Cebu Tuesday morning.

PO3 Ivy Catipay of Argao Police Station identified the suspect as Keith Douglas Mott, 54, of Connecticut state in the US. He lives in an apartment in Argao with a Filipina live-in partner.

Police said said Mott got angry at Gino (not his real name) for allegedly throwing cigarette butts outside his apartment.

When Mott saw Gino at 7 a.m. last Tuesday, he allegedly confronted the victim and choked him. He then threw him into a ditch with knee-deep water.

Gino sustained injuries in his elbows, back and waist as well as scratches in his neck.

Mott was taken to the Argao Police Station and has been in detention since Tuesday after Gino and his mother reported the incident to the police.

Mental ability

Gino was taken to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for a psychiatric test.

The doctor’s report stated that Gino’s mental ability is equivalent to that of a six-year-old child.

The American was charged with violating Republic Act 7610 or the anti-child abuse law before the prosecutor’s office.

While the victim is already an adult, police explained that he is entitled to the protection of the law as R.A. 7610 defines children as a person below 18 or those who are over but are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition.

Mott has been residing in Argao for the past five months. After posting bail, he told Catipay he will move to another place to avoid trouble.