Police bring more charges against Ohioan accused of punching kids with key in fist at Walmart
By APMonday, March 15, 2010
More charges in alleged child-punching at Walmart
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Police in Ohio have brought more charges against a Walmart shopper accused of punching children in the head for kicks.
Columbus Police Sgt. John Hurst says two additional assault counts were filed Sunday against 68-year-old Ralph Conone (kuh-NOH’-nee). He was arrested at a Walmart store last week on similar charges after police said he smacked a woman’s sons with a key sticking out of his fist.
Hurst says the new charges involve a 2-year-old boy struck the same way in two separate incidents at the store on Feb. 28.
Investigators say Conone told them it was exciting to hit children with their parents nearby.
Conone remained jailed on $150,000 bond Monday on the initial charges. His attorney, Tanya Askew, declined comment.
