A Gainesville man was arrested Tuesday night after he hit two infant girls at his girlfriend’s home, police said.
Billie Lamont Mann, 35, was arrested on two charges of aggravated child abuse, according to a Gainesville Police arrest report.
In an interview, Mann’s mother said she was surprised by her son’s actions.
“He has always been very gentle with children,” said Deloris Mann-Stroud, 65. “I always feel safe around him.”
Mann’s girlfriend left him with her twin 9-month-old daughters while she went to do laundry, according to GPD spokeswoman Cpl. Angelina Valuri.
The infants had serious swelling and bruising on their faces and heads when she returned, according to the report.
Both were taken to Shands at UF.
Mann never said why he hit his girlfriend’s daughters, Valuri said. However, he was intoxicated when GPD arrested him.
Mann was brought to the GPD detectives office, where police told him he was being charged with child abuse. Police locked him in an interviewing room and removed his handcuffs.
He then tried to flee using his bank card to pick the lock of the room, according to the report.
He was later charged with trying to escape police.
As of Wednesday night, Mann was still in jail. His bond has not been set.
“He’s a good man,” his mother said. “I am very upset over this.”
Contact Adrianna Paidas at apaidas@alligator.org.
