Miami man arrested for pistol-whipping child over ding dong ditch prank

A 32-year-old man from Southwest Miami-Dade was arrested after authorities said he confronted a group of children playing "ding dong ditch" and pistol-whipped one juvenile in the ear, causing a wound that required multiple stitches, CBS News Miami reported.

The incident occurred on the evening of October 22, when the children were knocking on doors and running away as part of the prank. According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, the man pulled up in a black Mercedes-Benz, got out, and displayed a handgun while demanding to know who was the oldest child.

When the children did not respond, the man struck one juvenile on the side of the head with the base of the gun's grip, causing a severe laceration to the child's left ear. The injury required hospital treatment, CBS News Miami said.

Deputies responded the following morning after the second child reported the incident. An arrest warrant was obtained, and the man was taken into custody without incident outside his home on October 28, according to WSVN 7News.

The man faces felony counts including aggravated child abuse with great bodily harm and aggravated assault with a firearm. During questioning, he partially admitted involvement but declined to answer questions about firearm possession without an attorney present, WSVN reported.