Regan Coultas, 46, of Palmdale, was booked on suspicion of felony child abuse, and he remained in custody Tuesday afternoon, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported.
Deputies were sent to the 24000 block of Copper Hill Drive at about 3 p.m. Aug. 16 on a report that “a male adult, approximately 50 years old, engaged in a physical altercation with a male juvenile,” a sheriff’s department statement said.
“Deputies arrived on scene and conducted an investigation in which a report was taken,” the statement said.
Video of the fight was circulated on social media.
“With follow-up investigation, detectives were able to identify the male,” the sheriff’s statement said. “The male remained cooperative with detectives throughout the investigation.”
The teen who shot the cell phone video told Fox11 the confrontation began at a nearby convenience store that is frequented by Rio Norte Junior High School students. Video shows students entering the store while the man was trying to leave, leading to some verbal sparring that ultimately prompted the physical fight between the suspect and 13-year-old boy.
On the video, at least one person can be heard yelling, “You’re choking a kid” as the pair scuffle on the ground.
The investigation was continuing, and anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at 661-260- 4000. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-222- TIPS, or via the website www.LACrimeStoppers.org.
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Attorney-At-Large says
OK.
I have been to that store in those same hours.
It is a scene.
So, for all you who have not been there. Listen.
The (mostly) boys who venture in there are brimming with hormonal fluids, and are traveling mostly in small groups of three to five young men.
They – on this particular day – have been walking for about a mile, mostly uphill. In the remarkable heat. They have passed other suitable places to get a cool drink or snack like an Albertson’s market further down Copper Hill. But they go here because they literally overwhelm the place. It is a youthful mob. (They sort of mob Albertson’s too, but Albertson’s has in the past limited how many of the students can be in the store)
NOW, when you are in a situation like that as an adult, you need awareness of these mitigating factors. As an adult you need to consider the mob, what their composure is, their hormonal levels are, and how you fit in amongst this culture. (Hint: you don’t)
Do a little risk assessment, then consider magnitude of any ‘slight’ that a child might have made against you.
I feel that – in this case – we have an out-of-towner, who probably also had enough bravado and enough heat stress, and enough testosterone to forego reasonable adult behavior and try to exact a correction by physical force onto another man (a much younger man).
His lack of awareness of our current society’s ubiquity of camera’s available to record sound and action, even at advanced frame rates to allow slow motion replay of the incident. And most young people have these devices at the ready.
It is sad. But mostly because our society is changing, and to fail to adjust also means a failure to fit in, get along, and remain free.
America's Most Trans-Species Mutant says
Doesn’t it seem we hear about violent young children committing savage crimes more frequently in the last few years? Boys and girls. Seems to me like bad parenting and single parents losing the handle. And our culture is rotten. Sad.
Brett says
The child was not being violent according to the article. The man seems to be the one who heard a 13 talk back to him and he decided that physical assault is the right way to respond. Then you go and assume the kid is the violent one. Had he been an adult the other man should have never gotten physical. That’s not how you behave.
America's Most Doubling Down says
Nah, I was just speaking in general, not in regard to this situation. Do you disagree with my comment?
Lady Pembroke says
Single parenting is to blame, hey? That Leave It To Beaver mindset is as antiquated as the blame game you’re trying to play. It’s common sense that being raised by a single parent with morals and ethics is a much better option than a children growing up in a household made toxic by two parents that can’t stand each other. This kind of behaviour comes down to an absence of discipline and structure. Parents aren’t allowed to parent anymore because society has their nearest Child Protection agencies on speed dial, ready to send forth overworked, overstretched, overburdened, burned out, embittered and grossly underpaid social workers who make the Spanish Inquisition look like a friendly game of 20 Questions over what may or may not be a bruise. Children push boundaries as part of healthy development, and they catch on fast. Please believe
Mike says
This child was clearly identifying as an adult…right up to the point when he got his arse whooped by an actual adult, then he decided to identify with his government issued age, and asserted his child identity again. Funny how that works.
Brett AV Sucks says
When I tell people how messed up people that live in the AV they think I’m joking. I love how this comment section thinks it’s appropriate to fight over your feelings being disrespected by a God damn 13 year old kid. What the he’ll is wrong with the people in this area? Everyone is constantly claiming fears their kids are going to be sexually abused but they don’t care if kids get beat up since they probably deserved it. Wow. I hope all the people siding with the grown man get attacked by a gaggle of kids.
America's Most Flushing The Evidence says
You’re hysterical. Calm down and get some help.
Mike says
Brett, stfu. There was a day when neighbors, friends, and teachers of unruly kids would all discipline a child that was out of line. That kid got what he deserved. He needed it. It probably saved his life because chances are very good that he will think twice before running his mouth or acting aggressively again. And don’t try and say it will only make him more aggressive, because that’s junk social psychobabble. Humans only respect one basic thing: Fear. Fear of negative consequences. That’s why we have laws that prescribe punishment in the form of confinement.
Tim Scott says
LOL…back to boldly telling people to STFU from the comfort of your keyboard I see. Brett, you if you want to meet Mike and see how courageous he is in real life drop me an e-mail. Speaking of “respecting fear.”
Cyndi says
Bet the “child” has a wonderful home life lol.
The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree
Amy says
So you blame an innocent? Is it a child’s fault what they are born into? I’ll tell you what, I was a foster kid, and I heard remarks like this from pretentious, self righteous people like you. I rolled, crawled, and jumped over hurdles you couldn’t even imagine. And I surpassed you. Not only am I educated and law abiding, but I have heart. I have courage. I have empathy and compassion. There’s nothing funny about abuse, about violence, about deprivation, about fear. The fact that you would mock this boy’s home life, that you would laugh at the plight of an innocent child born into a hell he didn’t ask for, speaks volumes on your character. You’re not as good as you think you are. You just have more resources to mask your ugliness, but it’s still shows. This boy may have an ugly home, who knows…but you most definitely have an ugly soul
Frank Rizzo Rizzo's World says
Good Gawd, save us the drama. More bleeding heart BS. Gonna act like a man get treated like one. Do onto others, you know the golden rule. What were your hurdles, trying to decide what lipstick to wear to LDS church? lol ugly souls
America's Most Prolific Pontificator says
With all due respect, Amy, your philosophy about not holding kids accountable for their actions because of their unfortunate situations has FAILED MISERABLY! Open your eyes and walk the streets at night. Society will break down if it continues. Humans should know right from wrong at an early age.
Anonymous says
The kid must have earned it….
Antoine says
Yeah..??! Let’s beat on your kid.
Be my guest says
Please do,
If he’s acting a fool
Teach him a good lesson none of these kids these days are learning.
Brett says
I hope you are murdered by a child.
Be my guest says
Nah,
I’ll beat his @$$ for acting up the same way this kid got.
Sally says
If he is murdered by a child it will most likely be by one of the 13%
D says
Exactly. The, he must of deserved it people are really astoundingly wrong.
Marg says
Hilarious! Yes, let’s beat on their kid.
ACE says
– IMPORTANT PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT –
OUR STREETS WILL BE SAFE AGAIN AFTER THIS FRIDAY NIGHT IN PALMDALE…
SAY GOODBYE TO NIGHTLY SHOOTINGS AND STREET MURDERS…
OUR PARKS AND SCHOOL YARDS WILL BE SAFE ONCE AGAIN…
NO MORE HOMELESS CAMPS ON THE STREETS OR SQUATTING FAR OUT IN THE DESERT…
ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND THE TRADE IN METH, HEROIN AND FENTANYL WILL END…
THE LANCASTER AND PALMDALE STATIONS WILL BE FULLY STAFFED SO THAT TWO OFFICERS ARE NOW IN EVERY CAR FOR THEIR SAFETY…
NO MORE DESERT DUMPING…
NO MORE PET DUMPING EITHER…
***
ALL THANKS TO OUR SHERIFF ALEX VILLANUEVA…
AND THE UPCOMING DUI ROAD BLOCK TO BE HELD AT YET ANOTHER SECRET LOCATION IN PALMDALE…
***
RE–ELECT OUR SHERIFF..!
FOR BRINGING SAFETY AND SANITY BACK TO OUR ANTELOPE VALLEY…
HIP-HIP HURRAY…!
***
Brett says
This is satire right? It’s hard to tell.
WrestleMania says
Frontiersman Bear Spray.
Christine says
Bottom line: we are not responsible for what others say about or do but we are responsible for how we react!
People have no self control! Regardless of this kid and his possible lack of respect, the onus is on the adult!
Christine says
Remove the about (cell phone likes to interject)!
Richard says
Looks like typical Palmdale racist white male
Beecee says
This comment comes off like it came from a ‘Richard’
America's Most Fighting The Enemies of Man & Nature says
I guess my reply to this moron WAS a bit over the top. Rich the d!ckhead, you’re a lucky SOB.
Beecee says
I tried to be a little more eloquent, lol
Yo Mama says
Oh did someone get their feelings hurt that someone made a comment about the white man being a piece of crap and you got angry? The fact that there are multiple people thinking that violence is ok at all is disturbing but many of you take it further and think that the 13 year old should get choked and beaten, for making a nasty statement which is jot mentioned what he said. Yet what really matters to the others is how they are angry because someone claimed that the white gut was probably racist. It’s the AV of course he’s racist. And if that upset you. It likely means you’re a piece of crap bigot as well. And you also are a very fragile person that can’t control their emotions. What’s the word for that? Oh yeah, snowflake.
America's Most Spilling The Beans says
Racist, racist, racist. That’s always your stock, childish, ignorant and bigoted response, and you repeat it mindlessly like an obsequious third world toady. I hope you get mugged and beaten by some young thug you want to defend.
WHITE MEN BUILT THIS COUNTRY, STILL RULE AND ALWAYS WILL.
Ah….hell. Sic ’em, Frank. This buffoon is beneath my contempt to even answer.
D says
Exactly! The guy in this case did not act adult, he lost his temper and was completely wrong and out of control.
Kev says
Do I think this was clearly very wrong on the part of the adult man- yes, no doubt!
Do I think the teen mouthed off at the man (especially since he was with his peers-trying to show off) as they crossed paths outside the convenience store- also yes, no doubt in my mind. The upside of this- I don’t think that teenage boy will be doing that anymore. It starts with one. And if he didn’t before (which I would find hard to believe ) this man now has a record that he gets to carry with him for a number of years if not forever.
Nunya says
If a 13 year old was able to set him off like this, he doesn’t belong around children.
Irritated says
It doesn’t matter what a CHILD said to him. He is and ADULT and should have acted accordingly. Mouthing off is absolutely no reason for a grown man to put his hands on a child. There is absolutely no upside to this. Trams for these kids is not an upside. Violence is not an upside. Do better and think before you type. Would you have left the same remark if this boy was one of your family members or a friends child?
Andrew says
Yes, I would have the same reaction, if this was my family member. No doubt, I’d go and beat that guy’s ass for hitting my kid or family member, but I would tell my kid/family member not to provoke or talk [removed] to grown people or this situation could happen again. Especially with the numerous amount of mental illnesses some people suffer from.
Bob Onmynob says
I actually would have laughed if a 13 year old told me off. I usually find that adorable. Most kids are so boring, depending on what he said who knows he may have had a point.
America's Most Shocked & Awed says
Are you into BDSM, spanking, self-flagellation and erotic humiliation also? You must enjoy it. Well, you came to the right spot, lol.
Beecee says
That San Fran rage for sure. Lol