Teen Put In Reverse Chokehold Until They Were Unconscious: Police

BRADENTON, FL — A juvenile detention sergeant faces charges after putting a 15-year-old juvenile detainee in a reverse chokehold until the child lost consciousness Sunday, Bradenton police said in a news release.

Charles Edwards, 44, who works at the Department of Juvenile Justice at 1805 5th Street West in Bradenton, has been charged with child abuse without great bodily harm, a third-degree felony.

Bradenton police detectives responded to the Department of Juvenile Justice Tuesday to review a child abuse accusation at the request of Manatee County Child Protective Services, police said.

Through witness testimony and video evidence, detectives learned that Edwards put the teen in a reverse chokehold until they were unconscious.

The teen didn’t receive medical care until about two hours after the incident, police said. They suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene by an on-site nurse.

The post-arrest status of Edwards’ employment with the DJJ is unknown, a police spokesperson said.

Video surveillance from the incident won’t be released at this time because of the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Dalia Santana at 941-932-9355. Information can also be submitted to BPDTIPS@BradentonPD.com or anonymously through Crime Stoppers for a cash reward up to $3,000 at 866-634-TIPS (8477) or at www.manateecrimestoppers.com.