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Man Accused Of Abusing Child After 'Ding Dong Ditch' Game Ditches Court

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A warrant has been issued for a man accused of abusing a child who tried to apologize for playing "Ding Dong Ditch."

Sebastien Azouma's preliminary hearing was scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Pittsburgh City Court.

The alleged victim in the case was there with his family and prepared to testify, but when Azouma's name was called, he was a no show.

Azouma faces a felony charge of false imprisonment of a minor after he reportedly grabbed an 11-year-old boy by the neck and pulled him inside his home on Odette Street, in Overbrook Street, last month.

The 11-year-old told police he and two friends were playing a game of "Ding Dong Ditch" where children ring a person's doorbell, then run away.

Azouma told police he was bothered by the kids ringing his doorbell, but says when the 11-year-old returned to apologize; he did not grab the boy by the neck as alleged.

Latese Dixon had just moved to the neighborhood before the incident reportedly happened.

"You don't touch anybody's kids if they're not physically touching you," said Dixon. "There was better ways to solve that matter."

The boy's family didn't want to talk to KDKA at the scheduled preliminary hearing, that Azouma missed Wednesday. When Azouma didn't show up, Judge Derwin Rushing issued a warrant for his arrest.

According to court papers, the 11-year-old's mother had proof that Azouma assaulted her son. She told police she took a picture of her son's neck, which was red after the alleged incident, though she refused medical treatment for him.

When Azouma is found, his preliminary hearing will be rescheduled, within 30 days.

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