Witnesses said Daniel Villasenor, 55, attacked the child near restrooms in Bristow Park.
Villasenor, a 32-year employee of the U.S. Postal Service, was reportedly on the job Monday afternoon. He stopped at the park to use the restroom. Villasenor allegedly asked a girl for directions to the facilities, according to the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. He then accidentally walked into the women's restroom. The girl and a friend started laughing at him.
When Villasenor exited the men's room, the girl was still allegedly laughing outside, according to the sheriff's department.
He allegedly chased the girl, who ran into the women's restroom, and began choking her inside a supply room adjacent to the restroom before two city workers told him to stop, according to the L.A. County District Attorney's Office.
"He got angry and pushed the 11-year-old child, and then grabbed her by the neck and the collar in what appeared to be a choking motion to the witnesses," said L.A. County Sheriff's Sgt. Dan Scott.
The girl had red marks on her neck, according to the sheriff's department.
Villasenor was arrested later in the neighborhood.
A Postal Service statement said: "The employee has been placed in an emergency non-duty, non-pay status. The incident is also being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service."
Villasenor was charged with cruelty to a child and assault on park property. He pleaded not guilty Wednesday. He was held on $15,000 bond. He was scheduled to reappear in court on March 5.
If convicted Villasenor faces up to a year in jail.
