Palm Coast, FL - A father is facing battery charges after he allegedly started and participated in a fight between his son and another 14-year-old boy at the Indian Trails Sports Complex in Palm Coast.
On Monday, March 19, deputies responded to the Indian Trails Sports Complex in reference to a disturbance between two 14-year-old boys. An investigation revealed the fight had been instigated by the father of one of the boys, 34-year-old Anthony Gardiner. Video footage recorded by a witness at the scene shows Gardiner jumping in the fight to push the 14-year-old off his son.
(Video footage still courtesy of the FCSO)
“Most parents would do everything within their power to prevent any harm coming to their child,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “But this is a parent who actively encouraged violence between his son and another child to solve a problem. Then, took it another step further and began fighting one of the kids himself. This is not how you teach your children problem-solving skills.” According to the FCSO, battery and disorderly conduct charges for Gardiner have been submitted to the State Attorney's Office. Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2018.
