A Safety Harbor man was arrested by deputies from the Patrol Operations Bureau on June 17, 2023, for child abuse involving a 4-month-old infant.
Following a report of child abuse at a private residence in Safety Harbor, deputies promptly responded at around 10:35 a.m. The mother of the 4-month-old victim, who was not present at the time, informed deputies that she had observed the child’s father on a camera inside the residence, shaking and causing harm to the infant. Deputies discovered 26-year-old Donovan Hartzell in a bedroom upon arrival, while the crying victim lay on the bed, exhibiting visible red marks on her face, neck, arm, and chest.
Upon the arrival of detectives from the Crimes Against Children Unit, they reviewed the video footage provided by the mother. The footage depicted Hartzell holding the victim by her shoulders and shaking her vigorously back and forth. Subsequently, Hartzell was seen sitting with the victim on his lap as she continued to cry, and he began rubbing a blanket aggressively in her face.
The victim, fortunately, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was promptly transported to the hospital for medical attention.
Hartzell was apprehended and charged with Child Abuse, after which he was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without any incidents.
The investigation into this incident is still ongoing.