Sheriff's deputies in Texas won't file charges against a father who they say beat an acquaintance to death after allegedly catching him sexually abusing the man's 4-year-old daughter.
During a social gathering on Saturday, the girl went inside the family's home in Shiner while other members of the family were tending to horses outside, CNN reported.
The father caught a 47-year-old man -- with whom he was casually acquainted --attempting to molest his daughter, Lavaca County Sheriff Micah Harmon told theVictoria Advocate. The father then allegedly punched the man in the head until he died, Harmon reported.
The father and daughter weren't named to protect the identity of the 4-year-old girl. She was described as "ok, besides the obvious mental trauma" of the incident, Harmon said.
The alleged abuser was found dead at the scene. His name wasn't released pending the announcement of his death to his family.
The sheriff's office will defer to a grand jury to decide whether charges will be brought against the father.