A father protesting the mask mandate at his daughter’s high school was arrested after allegedly physically assaulting a student.
50-year-old Dan Bauman is the parent of a 15-year-old girl who attends Fort Lauderdale High School.
Because of the high number of COVID-19 cases in the area, the school chose to implement a mask mandate for all of the students and staff on the campus.
According to reports, Bauman is against the face mask mandate. He has reportedly gone to the high school many times with other anti-mask protestors to voice displeasure.
Bauman’s daughter was told she could not come into the school without wearing a face mask.
Her dad went to the campus with her each morning and argued that enforcement of the mask mandate was a felony criminal offense.
On August 25, Bauman was with a group of protestors that arrived at the school around 7:30 am.
It was reported that Bauman had been recording videos of his interactions with the school security and staff members when confronting them. Students entering the building were often caught on the footage in the background.
When the Bauman began to approach security last Wednesday, the guard activated his body-worn camera.
A teenage girl that attends the high school reportedly walked past and became angry about Bauman capturing her on video for four days straight.
The young woman reportedly told Bauman she “had enough for four days.” It was reported that she reached out and attempted to grab the cell phone Bauman was reportedly using to record.
The man allegedly grabbed the girl by her arm and twisted it behind her back.
The security guard said that he had to intervene to get Bauman to let go of the teenager.
Bauman was arrested and incarcerated on a $5,000 bond. He was first charged with felony first-degree aggravated child abuse. A lesser charge of third-degree abuse of a child without great bodily harm was later recorded.
Bauman’s defense attorney said that his client is the victim in this situation. He reported that Bauman was assaulted and had his property forcefully taken.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.