Homeless man injured 3-year-old, police say

Costa Mesa police arrested a homeless man Tuesday for allegedly throwing an object at a 3-year-old in Lion’s Park.

David Banks, 42, of Costa Mesa, who police identified as homeless, was arrested in connection with the incident. He was charged with felony child cruelty, assault and battery, assault of an officer, felony vandalism to a police unit and obstruction of justice.

Police received a call about 2:10 p.m. of a man hitting a young child and making the child cry in Lions Park, said Costa Mesa Police Lt. Bryan Glass.

When officers responded, they saw a 3-year-old with a visible mark from where a ball had hit the child, Glass said.

When officers tried talking to Banks about the incident, he tried to walk away and was generally uncooperative, according to Glass.

While en route to the station, Banks kicked out a rear window and was later charged with felony vandalism, Glass said.

Lauren Williams