Italian doctor arrested for allegedly kicking son in face at Epcot

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Deputies say an Italian doctor has been arrested for allegedly kicking his son in the face at Epcot Saturday afternoon.

Dario Napolitano, 41, allegedly kicked his 3-year-old son in the face as he sat in a stroller inside Epcot.

According to arrest reports, witnesses saw Napolitano kick his son during a family argument. Then, they said the child began to scream in pain.

“I wouldn’t kick my sons in the face for anything,” said park guest, John Cissio.

Disney security alerted authorities immediately after the alleged incident, according to the arrest report.

“There’s clearly other ways to punish a child, or correct a child’s behavior,” said Kristin Collins, an Epcot visitor.

An interpreter with Disney had to be called to the scene because of a language barrier between police and the Italian family.

The 3-year-old was treated on scene for a cut below his eye, an abrasion above his eyebrow, and swelling of the entire area, according to the arrest report.

During questioning, Napolitano admitted to hitting his son because he was misbehaving. Napolitano told investigators he is a doctor in Italy.

“It doesn’t matter if he was at Disney or if he was in church,” said Cissio. “If he’s going to kick his son in the face, there’s something wrong with him.”

Napolitano was arrested and charged with child abuse. He has since bonded out of the Orange County Jail.

WFTV