A 42-year-old Clearwater man is being held without bond at the Pinellas County Jail after witnesses at an apartment pool told police he repeatedly forced a child underwater while others nearby heard the victim screaming for help. Largo police arrested Corey Dunham at the Belleair Place apartment complex, located at 1704 Clearwater Largo Road, and charged him with child abuse.
According to Tampa Bay 28, which cited the police report, several children at the pool told officers they saw Dunham jump in and use his body weight to hold the victim underwater. The outlet reported that the victim separately told police Dunham jumped into the pool three times, using one arm to hold him in place while pushing him underwater with the other.
Bystanders Heard Cries for Help
Police said several people at the complex heard the victim calling out for help and yelling, “Call 911,” during the encounter, per the same account.
Officers also reported that Dunham had a strong odor of intoxicants when they arrived, according to the police report. No further detail on the child's age, condition, or any injuries sustained was included in the reporting.
Held Without Bond
Dunham was booked into the Pinellas County Jail and is being held without bond, the report said.
Florida's child abuse statute, under Chapter 827, Section 03 of state law, covers intentional acts that could reasonably be expected to cause physical or mental injury to a child, as well as knowing or willful abuse resulting in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. It is not established which specific provision or degree of the charge applies in Dunham's case. Additional details, including any scheduled court hearings, can be tracked through the Pinellas County Case Lookup system.
