Florida man beats up on his elderly mother, bites arresting K9

On May 20 around 7 p.m., Indian River County deputies responded to a disturbance on 13th Lane SW in Vero Beach. When deputies arrived at the residence, they were met by a 62-year-old woman and numerous of her neighbors who reported a physical altercation. The woman informed the deputies that her son, 41-year-old Seith Engstrom, physically attacked her in their home.

The woman informed the deputy that prior to the assault, her son had been displaying aggressive and bizarre behavior earlier in the day and that she was afraid to talk to him.  After the victim told her son that their family dog had cancer and that the son shouldn’t be feeding the dog potato chips, she said that Engstrom walked up to her and struck her in the head causing her to fall to the ground.

While on the ground, Engstrom struck his mother in the head several more times. The battered mom was able to flee to a neighbor’s home who then contacted law enforcement.  The female victim displayed numerous injuries which included lacerations, skin tears, swelling, and bruising.

Her son fled the residence on foot prior to the arrival of law enforcement. IRCSO Deputy Joerger and his K9 partner Doc responded to the scene and began to track Engstrom with the assistance of aviation. Engstrom was located hiding in a wooded lot at the corner of 14th Place SW and 4th Avenue SW.

Engstrom ignored several verbal commands from deputies to come out of the wooded area. K9 Deputy Doc was deployed to apprehend Engstrom.

Once Engstrom came into contact with Deputy Doc, Engstrom grabbed Doc and began to physically attack him, at one point biting the canine on the head. Engstrom was eventually placed under arrest and transported for medical clearance before being transported to the county jail.

Engstrom was charged with battery-domestic violence, resisting arrest without violence, and battery on a police canine. He is currently incarcerated at the Indian River County Jail on a $20,000 bond.

Deputy Doc sustained minor injury on the top of his head from the encounter with Engstrom but is back on patrol alongside his K9 handler.

(Source: Indian River County Sheriff’s Office)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter