Witnesses: Decatur epidemiologist punched teen girl repeatedly
Three witnesses told deputies they observed a renowned malaria specialist punch a 14-year-old girl between two and four times last Friday while skiing at Colorado's Beaver Creek resort.
Scott Filler, 41, was with his 4-year-old son when the teen girl, swerving to avoid another skier, accidentally bumped into the boy, causing a collision, a spokesman with the Eagle County Sheriff's Office said.
The ski instructor who pulled the Decatur man off the girl told deputies Filler punched her "at least four times, using a closed fist," Lt. Mike McWilliam told the AJC. Two other witnesses said they observed Filler yell at the girl before landing two or three punches, the sheriff's office spokesman said.
Filler, charged with misdemeanor child abuse, told deputies he thought the girl was skiing carelessly and had seriously injured his son. The boy was not hurt, however, and Filler apologized. The girl was treated for minor injuries at a local medical center.
Her father requested charges be filed against Filler, who was banned for life from Vail's six ski resorts. District Attorney Mark Hurlbert told the Vail Daily a conviction could result in up to two years in county jail.
Filler's work as a "disease detective" with the Epidemic Intelligence Service was chronicled in former AJC reporter Maryn McKenna's book, "Beating Back the Devil." Repeated calls to Filler's residence were not answered.
About the Author
A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. He's covered some of the biggest trials this decade, from Hemy Neuman to Ross Harris to Chip Olsen, the latter of which was featured on Season 7 of the AJC's award-winning "Breakdown" podcast.
