Disabled man was trying to protect child from bullies. Bradenton man beat him up, cops say

A 23-year-old Bradenton man assaulted a disabled neighbor when the victim tried to protect a child from being attacked by a group of juveniles, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say Christian Parsons, for unknown reasons, charged into the yard of the victim, who is unable to defend himself, and began punching him in the face.

According to the arrest report, the victim was outside of his home when he saw a group of juveniles chasing another neighborhood child. The victim began to yell for the group of juveniles to leave the other child alone, at which time the juveniles began to yell at the victim.

Deputies say that’s when Parsons ran from his own home, crossed the street and attacked the victim in his yard. The victim suffers from a medical condition requiring the use of a cane to walk.

Parsons continued to punch the victim and slammed his head through a carport window, according to the report. Deputies say Parsons’ girlfriend is under investigation as witnesses allege she also got involved by kicking the elderly man in the face and chest after he was on the ground.

She was unnamed in the arrest report, referred to only as a “person of interest.”

Parsons was booked into the Manatee County jail on Jan. 9 and charged with abuse of an elderly and disabled adult. He posted a $1,500 bond was released, according to jail records.

This story was originally published January 14, 2020 at 8:14 AM.