A 17-year-old arrested in connection to an alleged battery outside Anna Maria Elementary School is back in jail.
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Palmetto resident John Bartholow, 17, Sept. 21 for contempt of court and violating his pretrial release program by resisting/obstructing a law enforcement officer without violence.
Bartholow and Sarasota resident Cameron Evans, 18, are both facing second-degree felony charges for aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm.
The charge stems from a March 23 incident outside Anna Maria Elementary, 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, that sent resident Evan Purcell, 41, to the hospital with serious injuries.
Purcell was walking his dog with his 10-year-old niece when he saw a group of young adults and teenagers possibly vandalizing the facility, according to a Holmes Beach Police Department report.
When Purcell asked the group to leave school grounds, they became aggressive and confronted him, according to HBPD. He drew a pocketknife and the group beat him to the point of unconsciousness.
Purcell’s niece ran to a nearby residence and called 911 during the incident.
HBPD and emergency medical services reached Purcell and transported him to the HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton.
The Purcell family has not responded to inquiries about his condition since March 25.
Bartholow was released April 21 into the Manatee County Probation Department’s pretrial services program after posting a $50,000 bond.
The program allows a defendant’s release from custody but restricts legal movement and provides official supervision until a case is settled.
However, Bartholow, who remained in custody at the Manatee County jail as of Sept. 23, will not be eligible to rejoin the pretrial services program due to his recent arrest.
Evans has been jailed since his April 14 arrest.
A hearing to set bond for Bartholow’s release will be at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the Manatee County judicial center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.