'If you don't shut that baby up ...'

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. - A 61-year-old annoyed with a crying 2-year-old at an Atlanta-area Walmart slapped the child several times this week after warning the toddler's mother to keep her quiet, police said.

A police report said that after the stranger hit the girl at least four times, he said: "See, I told you I would shut her up."

Roger Stephens of Stone Mountain is charged with felony cruelty to children.

Authorities said the girl and her mother were shopping Monday when the toddler began crying. The police report said that Stephens approached the mother and said: "If you don't shut that baby up, I will shut her up for you."

Stephens then grabbed the 2-year-old and slapped her, police said. The child began screaming, and Stephens was arrested. Police said an examination showed the girl's face was slightly red.