Boy runs for help as stranger beats parents in motel room

Author: the associated press
Published:
Police lights crime

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. (AP) – Police say a 9-year-old boy ran for help as a stranger beat his adopted parents in their Daytona Beach Shores motel room.

Police Sgt. Mike Fowler says 49-year-old Zachary Brownlee knocked on the motel room door Wednesday afternoon and the boy let him into the room. He asked 77-year-old William Keener if he could use the phone.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://bit.ly/1PAIx9v ) reports Brownlee then demanded money and began beating Keener and his 78-year-old wife Sidney North.

The boy ran for help. Brownley was gone when police arrived, but he was arrested a short time later.

Police say North was taken to the hospital. Keener was also injured.

Brownlee faces charges of home invasion robbery and aggravated battery on someone over 65.

It’s not known if he has an attorney.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.