A Yucca Valley man was arrested Thursday night, accused of choking and beating his son. According to a Sheriff’s report, deputies were called to the 2600 block of Longview Avenue in Yucca Valley twice Thursday. During the first visit shortly before 9 p.m., the deputy counseled Jason Petrozzelli, 40, about the difference between corporal punishment and physical abuse of his step-children. The report states that Petrozzelli understood the difference and that the family was going to bed. About 11 p.m., the deputy was called back to the home; a boy and his mother said that Petrozzelli had grabbed the boy by the throat and squeezed until the boy felt light-headed and almost passed out. The boy said he was then pushed down the hallway to a bedroom and pushed onto the bed on top of his brother, almost crushing the other boy. Petrozzelli allegedly stated that he didn’t remember what happened but did remember grabbing the boy by the throat. Jason Petrozzelli was arrested for investigation of child abuse and booked into West Valley Detention Center with bail set at $100,000.
