Florida Man Arrested for Dropping Child from Second-Story Balcony

A Florida man was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse after he allegedly dangled and dropped a young boy headfirst off a second-story hotel balcony in Daytona Beach.

A Florida man has been arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse after allegedly dangling and dropping a young boy headfirst from a second-story hotel balcony in Daytona Beach.

Brandon Gilmore, 31, was arrested on July 6, 2024, and charged with the offense after the incident that occurred on Saturday afternoon at the Sandlewood Resort.

Florida Man Arrested for Dropping Child from Second-Story Balcony

According to the Volusia County Jail records, Gilmore remains in custody without bond. The child involved in the incident is reported to be doing well and has been discharged from the hospital with no expected long-term health issues.

According to the arrest affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital, police were alerted to a trauma situation at the Sandlewood Resort on Saturday afternoon. Gilmore's account of the incident was that he had met a woman at a hotel pool five hours prior and had been invited to her room, where he asked permission to take her son outside to play.

Florida Man Arrested for Dropping Child from Second-Story Balcony

Gilmore then proceeded to take the boy outside and hold him by his legs, dangling him over the balcony. Witnesses verified that the child was indeed dangled and heard him screaming before he was dropped headfirst from the two-story balcony.

Video surveillance captured the incident, corroborating witness statements and Gilmore's account. The affidavit also notes that both Gilmore and the woman had been drinking at the pool throughout the day.

Florida Man Arrested for Dropping Child from Second-Story Balcony

The affidavit does not reveal the child's age or provide information on the relationship between Gilmore and the child's mother. The Daytona Beach Police Department continues to investigate the incident.

This incident is not an isolated case of child abuse in Florida. In a separate incident, a Wisconsin father was arrested for allegedly causing his newborn son serious head injuries by hitting him with an iPad.

Another incident involved a drunk Florida man who was beaten after mocking a guest with Down syndrome at a Disney World Resort bar.

These incidents highlight the importance of protecting children from harm. All individuals have a responsibility to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. The well-being and safety of children should be a top priority in our communities.