http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/denton/stories/050110dnmetchurchattack.1c978a9.htmlAttack involving teen, bodybuilding preacher roils Little Elm church
Friday, April 30, 2010
An attack involving a bodybuilding preacher and a teenage boy who had argued with the man's son has shaken a Little Elm community.
Jerod Rost, 36, was arrested Wednesday on a charge of injury to a child, a felony that carries a penalty of two to 10 years in prison and a fine, said Little Elm police Detective Oscar Hinojosa, who is leading the investigation.
Rost visits schools with other members of Power for Life Ministry who demonstrate their strength, and encourage kids to stay away from drugs and work hard.
Rost, who is free on bail, has declined to comment on the case, but his pastor at Point Church said the attack was out of character.
"Nobody's ever seen this side of him before," said Brad Sutton, adding that he feels he needs to be there for both Rost and the boy. "We don't throw anybody away."
The April 18 incident began when two boys argued over a football a half-hour after a church service at Lakeview Elementary School in the 1800 block of Sunflower Drive. Police say Rost, the father of one boy, hit the other boy, 13-year-old Tanner "T.J." Flores.
Flores' mother said the 245-pound man beat her 110-pound son with his elbows and a stick.
"It has absolutely changed our lives," Laura Flores said of the attack.
Sutton said Rost has made a positive impact in many children's lives, but all that could be wiped out by one mistake.
"In one moment, you can lose a lot," Sutton said. Laura Flores said T.J. has gotten support from family, friends and strangers, including the Bikers Against Child Abuse, who will visit the boy Saturday.
