Staff report

NEWBERRY, Fla. – Wanda Kay Parker, 50, was arrested yesterday and charged with aggravated battery and resisting arrest after allegedly throwing a hammer at a man she’d been caring for and then refusing to get out of an overflowing tub when deputies tried to arrest her.

At about 4:45 p.m. yesterday, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a call about an aggravated battery at a home in Newberry. The victim reportedly told the deputy that Parker lived with him as his caregiver and that he had tried to lock himself in his bedroom because Parker was being verbally and physically abusive toward him. He said she forced her way into the room several times and started throwing things at him; he said she started with magazines but eventually threw a hammer in a plastic bag into the room, grazing the side of his head.

The deputy attempted to make contact with Parker, who had retreated to a bathroom with the water running. The deputy reportedly made at least four announcements that she should come out, but she didn’t answer. The victim reportedly told the deputy that the announcements could be heard from the other end of the house.

When backup arrived, deputies opened the bathroom door and reportedly found Parker in an overflowing tub. She reportedly did not respond to verbal commands until deputies entered the bathroom, at which point she reportedly told them to get out. After she was told she was under arrest, she allegedly refused to get out of the bathtub and was eventually escorted out of the tub.

Post Miranda, she declined to answer any questions.

Parker has six felony convictions (none violent) and 30 misdemeanor convictions (none violent). She has served two state prison sentences for offenses out of Alachua and Levy counties, with her most recent release in 2018. Judge James Colaw set bail at $10,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.