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Stranger accused of slapping crying tot at store

Police say a 61-year-old man annoyed with a crying 2-year-old girl at a Wal-Mart slapped the child several times after warning the toddler's mother to keep her quiet.
Roger Stephens, shown in a  booking photo provided Wednesday, is accused of slapping a crying 2-year-old girl at a Wal-Mart in Stone Mountain, Ga.
Roger Stephens, shown in a  booking photo provided Wednesday, is accused of slapping a crying 2-year-old girl at a Wal-Mart in Stone Mountain, Ga.Gwinnett County Sheriff
/ Source: The Associated Press

Police say a 61-year-old man annoyed with a crying 2-year-old girl at a Wal-Mart slapped the child several times after warning the toddler's mother to keep her quiet.

A police report says after the stranger hit the girl at least four times, he said: "See, I told you I would shut her up."

Roger Stephens of Stone Mountain is charged with felony cruelty to children. It was unclear if he had an attorney and a telephone call to his home Wednesday was unanswered.

Authorities say the girl and her mother were shopping Monday when the toddler began crying. The police report says Stephens approached the mother and said, "If you don't shut that baby up, I will shut her up for you."

Authorities say after Stephens slapped the girl, she began screaming.