ANDERSON — Police arrested an Anderson man for allegedly slapping a 9-year-old boy while waiting in line at McDonald’s, 114 W. 14th St., at about 7:45 p.m. Wednesday.

John C. Howard Sr., 57, was arrested on suspicion of battery, a Class D felony, and has since bonded out of jail. He has not made an initial court appearance, an no charge has been filed.

According to a probable cause affidavit:

Witnesses told police Howard, who is white, and the boy, who is black, got into an argument at about 7:45 p.m. while waiting in line inside the restaurant. During the argument, Howard used a racial slur, and the boy then put his hand in Howard’s face, but didn’t touch him. Howard then slapped the boy and was arrested a short time later.

The witness accounts were confirmed through videotaped surveillance camera recordings in the restaurant.

Police arrested Howard on suspicion of felony battery, instead of a misdemeanor, because of the boy’s age.