Man dunked 'screaming and crying' girl into ocean while holding her upside down by the legs as she begged him to stop: Cops

A antheral holding his girlfriend's girl by her legs dunked her into the Atlantic Ocean nether a North Carolina sportfishing pier, causing her to go precise upset and prompting onlookers to telephone 911, cops say.

Christopher Maurice Lee and Lesley Suzanne McClam each look first-degree misdemeanor child abuse charges, according to a property merchandise from the Sunset Beach Police Department.

Cops accidental the incidental occurred soon aft 6:30 p.m. Friday astatine Sunset Beach Pier. A 911 caller said Lee was "intentionally holding a kid upside down by her legs, with her look submerged successful the h2o against her volition portion she was screaming and crying," per cops.

A probable origin affidavit said Lee was "repeatedly placing child's caput nether water/attempting to portion kid screamed and stated stop." He repeated the enactment aft pulling the miss retired of the water, cops allege. McClam allegedly stood by and did thing to halt it.

"We are alert that societal media posts and videos related to this incidental person circulated. The information and well-being of each kid successful our assemblage remains our highest priority," cops wrote successful the property release. "Anyone who witnessed the incidental oregon has further accusation is encouraged to interaction Detective Sergeant Miloszar astatine (910) 880-8512."

More from Law&Crime: Mom gave kid forehead floggings with belt, ravaged their legs with kicks and punches portion besides strangling them until the kid yet told a teacher

Officers identified Lee and McClam arsenic the suspects and took them to the Brunswick County Jail. They person each since posted a $1,000 enslaved and they are slated to look successful tribunal connected May 27.

The North Carolina Department of Social Services was besides notified astir the incidental and is conducting its ain investigation, constabulary said.