On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, Jarrett Garrett McCabe, a 47-year old man from Lakeland, Florida, was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after a Door Dash food delivery driver reported seeing him hitting a 16-year old boy on David Street in Lakeland. McCabe was charged with simple battery and subsequently booked into the Polk County Jail. The incident stemmed from a dispute between McCabe’s son and the 16-year-old boy, which escalated to violence that led to McCabe’s arrest.
During an interview with a PCSO detective, McCabe admitted that he was told by a neighbor that two boys had jumped his son on November 6th. However, the investigation revealed that McCabe’s son had a fight with one of the boys a few weeks ago and another altercation with the boy the day before the incident. In both instances, the 16-year-old boy was not involved in physically assaulting McCabe’s son.
On the day of the incident, McCabe went to the bus stop and waited for the boys while expecting another confrontation with his son. When the boys got off the bus, he confronted them, and he admitted that he slapped one of the boys with an open hand and punched the same boy in the face and twice in the stomach. This altercation led to McCabe’s arrest and subsequent charge of simple battery.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd expressed his disappointment with McCabe’s actions, stating, “It’s understandable that a dad would be upset about his son getting jumped, but waiting at a bus stop to beat-up a kid is not the kind of example you want to be setting for your child. Based on this and his criminal history, he clearly has anger-management issues.”
Furthermore, it was revealed that the victim was the child who had previously fought with McCabe’s son a few weeks ago. The other boy who was with the victim when McCabe confronted them was the same boy who had fought with McCabe’s son the day before. Following the incident on Monday, the boy and his mother spoke with McCabe, and the boy apologized for fighting with his son.
Jarrett McCabe’s criminal history is checkered, including prior convictions for 2nd Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Weapon, and Shooting/Throwing a Deadly Missile into a Building or Vehicle, for which he served six years and eleven months in a Florida state prison.
Through their investigation, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office aimed to hold McCabe accountable for his actions, as well as to emphasize the importance of addressing conflict and disputes in a lawful and non-violent manner. The incident highlighted the potentially serious consequences of letting personal vendettas and emotions escalate into physical altercations, especially when it involves juveniles.
The arrest and subsequent charge of simple battery against McCabe served as a reminder of the need for conflict resolution and the maintenance of personal conduct within the boundaries of the law. It also underscored the importance of setting positive examples for children in handling adversity and conflicts. Law enforcement authorities, including the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, are committed to upholding the law and promoting peaceful conflict resolution within the community.
In conclusion, Jarrett Garrett McCabe’s arrest on simple battery charges following an altercation with a 16-year-old boy in Lakeland, Florida, serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of addressing disputes through peaceful and lawful means. The incident underscored the potential consequences of allowing personal emotions to escalate into physical altercations, especially when it involves juveniles. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office took swift action in ensuring that McCabe was held accountable for his actions, and the case serves as a reminder to the community about the significance of resolving conflicts in a peaceful and lawful manner.
