14-Year-Old Group Home Foster Son Arrested After Causing Death of Security Guard

“A 52-year-old security guard working at a juvenile group home in Volusia County was hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday following a fight with a teen resident.

The 14-year-old boy, who the Miami Herald is not naming because of his age, is facing a charge of aggravated battery on a uniformed security officer, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident happened at the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home in Enterprise, Florida, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies say the guard, who the sheriff’s office declined to name, brought the boy back to the home after he had left the campus

A spokesman for the home could not immediately be reached to answer whether the boy left the property without permission.

When they entered the boy’s room, the two got into an altercation, sheriff’s office spokesman Andrew Grant said.

Witnesses told deputies the boy punched the officer, but he was able to leave the room without any visible problems. However, while in an adjacent office, the man began “showing signs of medical distress about five minutes after the altercation and lost consciousness,” Grant said.

His colleagues called 911, and medics took him to an area hospital.

Investigators are trying to determine whether it was the punch that caused him to pass out, or if there were “other medical factors,” according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.

The boy is in custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice and is scheduled to make his first appearance before a judge Thursday morning, Grant said.”

Guard at Florida juvenile group home in critical condition after fight with a teen
[Miami Herald 3/31/21 by David Goodhue]

“A security guard for a children’s home passed away from injuries on Saturday after a teenager attacked him during patrol, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

The guard was working at Florida United Methodist Children’s Home when he was punched in the head multiple times in an altercation with a 14-year-old boy, Sheriff Mike Chitwood said in a Facebook post.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said the officer was bringing the teen back to the home after finding him off campus. As the guard was escorting the boy to his room, that’s when matters escalated into a physical altercation between the two.

The security guard was able to walk out of the room on his own accord, according to a sheriff’s office news release.

As the guard walked into another office in the home about five minutes after the fight, he started showing signs of medical distress and lost consciousness, the sheriff’s office said. Co-workers called 911 to get him medical attention.

The 52-year-old was taken to the hospital, according to authorities.

Chitwood said deputies have arrested the juvenile suspect and he is in custody. He’s facing an aggravated battery on a uniformed officer charge.

Investigators say a medical evaluation is needed to determine whether the guard’s current condition can be attributed to the altercation or could be a result of other medical factors.”

Children’s home security guard dies after teen attacks him, Volusia County sheriff says
[News 6 3/31/21 by Gabriella Nunez]

REFORM Puzzle Piece