A Leesburg man was arrested for battery after allegedly punching his elderly mother multiple times because he was angry, sending her to the hospital.
An officer responded to UF Health Leesburg Hospital, located at 600 E. Dixie Ave., regarding a battery around 6:37 p.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department.
While en route to the scene, the officer was advised by dispatch that an elderly female patient, identified as the victim, was at the hospital and made statements that she was battered by her son, 49-year-old Mark Edward Macphail, at her residence. The report noted that dispatchers also received a second emergency call that advised an individual heard a female screaming near the victim’s residence.
The officer arrived at the hospital and met the 75-year-old victim. She reiterated Macphail, who she said suffered from mental health issues, battered her at their residence. He had left the residence earlier in the day, and when he got back, he appeared angry, the report said.
The victim tried to ignore Macphail’s behavior, but he became more irate and pushed her down while she tried to leave her bedroom. Once she was on the ground, he struck her multiple times all over her body with a closed fist. She eventually separated herself from him by crawling out of the residence, at which point she notified her neighbor, the report said.
During the interview, the officer observed multiple bruises and scrapes along both of the victim’s arms and knees. He also saw her wince in pain while she spoke with law enforcement, and she advised the pain was due to the incident. She continuously stated she did not want Macphail to be arrested and asked officers to give him mental health assistance through the Veteran’s Association. She also refused to write a sworn statement, the report said.
Officers then relocated to the victim’s residence to contact Macphail. He was detained upon arrival and read his rights, after which he agreed to speak with the officers. He stated he got angry with the victim but could not give more information about the incident. The report noted he was evaluated for a law enforcement Baker Act, but he did not meet the criteria.
Dispatch later advised that Macphail had one prior battery conviction from March 2010. The incident was deemed domestic due to the victim and Macphail being blood related and living together as a family, the report said.
Macphail was subsequently arrested and taken to the LPD for the booking process. While there, he required medical assistance and was escorted to the University ot Florida Hospital. He was then medically cleared, the report said.
The Massachusetts native was charged with simple battery (domestic – victim 65 years of age or older) and transported to Lake County Jail. Bond was set at $2,500.