Man Accused of Punching a 10-Year-Old Boy

An Eastlake man faces a felony count of child endangering after he was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Mentor.

Aaron Vitolo, 24, was watching his friend's three children when he got into an argument with the 10-year-old boy, Mentor Police Lt. Tim Allen said.

Vitolo struck the boy for being disrespectful, Allen said. Vitolo claimed he only smacked the boy but the child said Vitolo punched him.

When the child's parents got home, they saw he had a contusion on his noise and a swollen lip, Allen said.

They took the child to the hospital where the doctor said he had a concussion, Allen said.

"It wasn't the result of simply a slap," the doctor added, according to Allen.

Vitolo was arraigned Wednesday morning in . Judge Trebets set his bond at $50,000, which was not posted.

Vitolo's next court hearing is scheduled for March 15.

If Vitolo is convicted of felony child endangering, he could face between one and five years in prison.