A 31-year-old Florida man is currently facing a serious charge of felony aggravated child abuse. According to the police, he allegedly dangled a boy (4) off a second-story balcony before accidentally dropping the child.
According to an affidavit from the Daytona Beach Police Department, Brandon Gilmore had just recently met the mother of the child a few hours before the incident occurred at a hotel resort in Florida in early July. He stated that he encountered her at the hotel’s pool, where they were both drinking alcohol, and she extended an invitation for him to join her in her room.
According to the police, they have acquired surveillance footage that captures Gilmore holding the child in a typical manner prior to stepping out on the balcony of the hotel.
According to reports, the man supposedly informed the mother that he intended to scare the child.
Witnesses reported observing the moment the child fell to the ground.
A witness stated that the man was observed engaging in playful behavior with the boy. He then let go of one foot, and the child slipped out of his other hand and landed headfirst on the concrete ground. According to her account, the child’s face suddenly and alarmingly changed color, becoming a vivid shade of purple.
The boy looked to be experiencing a severe lack of oxygen. Gilmore and the child’s mom quickly descended the stairs to attend to the child. Individuals were shouting from the pool, warning them not to move the child.
The mom picked up her child and brought him into her room. He was taken to a medical center where he was diagnosed with blunt force trauma to the head, according to the police. According to Sgt. Tim Ehrenkaufer of the Daytona Beach Police, the boy was discharged on July 8th and is not anticipated to experience any lasting medical complications.
According to the police affidavit, Gilmore acknowledged to law enforcement that he had held the boy over the balcony but provided no additional information.
Police notified the Department of Children and Families was notified about the incident. Gilmore is currently in custody at the Volusia County Jail and is being held without bond.
Public records indicate that he has a history of arrests related to marijuana possession and driving with a license that had been suspended.
