A Central Florida man is behind bars, accused of beating and emotionally torturing two disabled citizens, Winter Haven police said.
Phillip Dale Simons, 52, of Winter Haven was arrested on Tuesday, after his attempt to elude officers failed.
The disabled woman told investigators that Simons repeatedly battered her with a walking stick he named, the “Stupid Stick” and threatened her numerous times by waving firearms around her and the minor victim in the residence. The woman also said that sometimes the abuse would be committed with his bare hands, but mostly with the “Stupid Stick.”
Simons would severely beat her on the arms, legs, torso and head, the woman said. The 15-year-old minor received the same beatings from Simons with the “Stupid Stick.”
On May 16, the woman also said that Simons threatened her by placing the barrel of a handgun in her mouth stating that he would “kill” her and make the minor victim and a second minor inside the residence watch.
Investigators were waiting for Simons when he returned from work on Tuesday night. He attempted to hide in areas around the location, but detectives quickly nabbed him without incident.
Simons was booked into the Polk County Jail and faces multiple charges including, aggravated abuse/battery of a disabled adult, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and 12 counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, among other charges. He will make his first court appearance before a judge Thursday.
