Calif. Official Resigns After Stepson Abuse Video
An Imperial County water agency director — who was arrested after a video surfaced that appeared to show him hitting his stepson with a belt — has resigned his position, his lawyer said.
Attorney Ryan Childers told the Imperial Valley Press that Anthony Sanchez, 34, stepped down from his post as the director of the Imperial Irrigation District on Saturday.
“Obviously with the circumstances surrounding the criminal investigation it’s going to be important that he focus his time and energy on the charges he’s facing and beginning to rebuild his life with his family,” Childers told the newspaper.
Authorities arrested Sanchez on Friday on suspicion of felony child abuse after his neighbor posted a video online that shows a man, identified by investigators as Sanchez, apparently hitting his stepson during a backyard game of catch.
The video, shot by neighbor Oscar Lopez, shows a man whipping the boy with a belt after the boy drops the ball. After a minute, Lopez can be heard on the recording telling the man to stop.