New Port Richey Siblings Said They Ran Away After Being Hit

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — A 32-year-old New Port Richey man is facing two counts of child abuse after the Pasco County Sheriff's Office said children he was supervising ran away after he struck them.

On Saturday morning, Pasco County Sheriff's deputies were alerted when three siblings, ages 8, 7 and 5, were reported as runaways. When deputies located them, they noticed that the 8-year-old had a large bandage on the back of his head. When deputies asked the child about the injury, the child said his caregiver, David Wayne Healy of Magpie Drive, struck him on the back of the head with the edge of an aerosol can, causing a laceration.

Deputies also noticed bruises on the face and neck of the 5-year-old. When they questioned the child, they were told Healy hit the 5-year-old in the face and then choked him, leaving marks on his neck.

When interviewed, Healy admitted to hitting the back of the 8-year-old's head to prevent him from getting food but said he did not cause the laceration. He said the 5-year-old's injuries were from playing around with his siblings.

Bond was set at $5,000.