Man attacked boy, 12, over can of soda, Seminole County deputies say

58-year-old charged with child abuse

SANFORD, Fla. – A Seminole County man is facing child abuse charges after deputies say he attacked a 12-year-old boy over a can of soda.

Bradford Ward, 58, was booked into the Seminole County Jail on Saturday.

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Deputies say they were called out to Ward's Sanford home shortly after 5pm.

According to an arrest report, a 12-year-old boy told investigators he and some friends were cutting Ward's grass when the man approached him and began stating "you stole coke from my house."

The 12-year-old victim said one of his friend's had given him the can of Coca Cola and he did not steal it.

According to the report, the child told officers Ward then began pushing him into a canal on the property. The boy managed to get away, but Ward continued to chase him with a large piece of wood.

According to officers, when they interviewed Ward he admitted to touching the boy at least twice then chasing after him.

Ward is currently being held on a $2,500 bond and is scheduled for an arraignment on October 22.


About the Author:

Lisa Bell has been in Central Florida since 2007, covering the big stories that impact our community. Lisa was promoted to News 6 evening news co-anchor in May 2014.

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