Yes, if past is prologue, then the circumstances of the previous changes do not necessarily correlate with someone who preys upon children. AJ wasn't really a child anymore. The past does indicated that he is extremely controlling of women with whom he has intimate relationships. If he did harm AJ, I would lean toward his motive having more to do with controlling or hurting her mother than her. People have been known to harm one person to get back at another.
This is my opinion as well (controlling or hurting her mother)