GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A Florida man was arrested after allegedly tackling a paramedic while intoxicated and caring for his 6-year-old son, according to University of Florida Police.
Officers responded to Emerson Hall around 8:56 p.m. on Sept. 12 after a passerby reported concerns about the child’s welfare, the Alachua Chronicle reported. Police said Danny Taylor Tate, 30, was wearing only boxers, shoes, a watch and a chain while pacing and yelling. His son was sitting with paramedics and appeared frightened.
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Officers and paramedics attempted to de-escalate the situation while arranging for Tate’s cousin to pick up Tate and his son. Police said Tate repeatedly became agitated, challenged officers and allegedly lunged at and tackled a paramedic.
Tate reportedly resisted as officers and another paramedic pulled him away. Police said he continued resisting while being placed in a patrol vehicle, threatened an officer during transport and struck his head against the vehicle’s cage at the jail.
Tate was charged with battery on a paramedic, child neglect without great bodily harm, resisting an officer with violence and disorderly intoxication. His son was released to Tate’s cousin, and police said a report would be submitted to the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Tate’s bail was set at $6,000.
