Holding an ice pack to her swollen cheek 11 year old Paula Dowdy says she was hit in the face with a boot-while she and her family were trying to donate food to one needy person at this homeless camp.
The giveaway at the camp on G Street turned into a fight when a homeless man took issue with father Greg Dowdy's decision to give the food to one homeless woman instead of sharing it with the entire camp.
Action News located the homeless man involved in the scuffle. He claims things got physical when Dowdy yelled a racial obscenity at him.
Dowdy denies that.
Besides regret Dowdy is also upset with Fresno Police because officers didn't arrest the man who struck his daughter. Instead they issued a citation.
The suspect admitted to Action News and Fresno Police that he did not intend to hit the girl, he was aiming for her father.
We talked with a spokesperson from Mayor Ashley Swearengin's office who says the city wants to figure out a safer and more effective way to give food and services to Fresno's homeless.
The woman who goes by Gayle is thankful for the canned goods, and says she will share it with others.
While this good hearted trip didn't turn out like the Dowdy family expected, the kids still learned some valuable lessons.
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