FL Man Accused Of Beating Boy, 5, With Mop Handle Denied Bond

DELAND, FL — A Florida man who authorities say beat his girlfriend's 5-year-old son with a mop handle was denied bond Wednesday a day after his arrest in Volusia County.

Shawn Stone, 32, of DeLand, is charged with one count of aggravated child abuse following the incident, according to Volusia County court records. During his initial appearance, a judge granted the prosecution's request for Stone to remain jailed until his June 1 arraignment, WESH reported.

"Based on the documents in the court file, I do find probable cause for that," a judge said, according to WESH.

According to Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, Stone punched, kicked, and used a mop handle to assault the 5-year-old Tuesday after the boy had an accident. Several reports said he assaulted the child after he wet the bed.

A police report obtained by WESH said Stone struck the child with such force that "the head of the mop broke off."

According to WESH, the boy's mother told authorities she discovered the abuse when she checked her home surveillance cameras on her phone. Chitwood said Stone fled the home on an ATV when investigators showed up at the house.

The boy was taken to the hospital with injuries including a fractured skull, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported.

Stone has a lengthy criminal history, according to court records. In 2015, he was sentenced to seven years in prison for burglary and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was released from prison in 2021, the News-Journal reported.