Woman in serious condition after she was beaten unconscious, sheriff says

A 26-year-old Sarasota County man is facing charges after he allegedly beat a woman until she was unconscious.

Joshua Curtis, of Nokomis, is charged with aggravated battery with great bodily harm after detectives were made aware of a woman at Venice Regional Hospital who had head injuries so severe she required surgery, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

Curtis, investigators learned, called 911 Sunday morning to report the unconscious woman, claiming it was from a pre-existing medical condition, according to the sheriff’s office. She was taken to the hospital.

However, witnesses told investigators Curtis allegedly punched the woman twice and held a pillow over her face until she was unconscious on Saturday night.

Curtis woke up Sunday and called 911 when the woman did not wake up, according to the sheriff’s office. The victim is known to Curtis, the probable cause affidavit reveals.

Curtis allegedly admitted to beating the woman when officials executed a search warrant at his home Monday. He remains in custody at the Sarasota County Jail without bond.

The woman is still in serious condition at Venice Regional Hospital, according to the sheriff’s office.

Curtis also previously been arrested for battery and no valid driver’s license, according to the sheriff’s office.

This story was originally published June 20, 2017 at 3:34 PM with the headline "Woman in serious condition after she was beaten unconscious, sheriff says."