A Daytona Beach police officer has been fired after being charged with child abuse, officials said. Officer John Barrett was arrested this week. He’s accused of holding a 3-year-old girl by the legs and throwing her against a wall while he was off duty. Police were contacted by DCF investigators Tuesday after the victim complained of head pain at school and staff noticed bruising on her ear. The child told investigators that Barrett threw her more than once because she would not go to bed. Barrett became a full-time police officer in Daytona Beach in May, but he was still in his probationary period which runs for 18 months. He was released from jail on his own recognizance.

A Daytona Beach police officer has been fired after being charged with child abuse, officials said.

Officer John Barrett was arrested this week. He’s accused of holding a 3-year-old girl by the legs and throwing her against a wall while he was off duty.


Police were contacted by DCF investigators Tuesday after the victim complained of head pain at school and staff noticed bruising on her ear.

The child told investigators that Barrett threw her more than once because she would not go to bed.

Barrett became a full-time police officer in Daytona Beach in May, but he was still in his probationary period which runs for 18 months.

He was released from jail on his own recognizance.