Davie Police Officer Arrested on Child Abuse Charges, Authorities Say

A Davie police officer has been arrested, accused of attacking his two teenage kids during an argument, according to an arrest report.

Officer Timothy Donohue, 46, was taken into custody by his own police agency on Wednesday on two counts of child abuse infliction of physical or mental injury and two counts of battery, the arrest report said.

Donohue's attorney on Thursday defended her client, telling Broward Judge John "Jay" Hurley that the incident only was an argument.

"Your honor, we don't believe there is probable cause," said his attorney, Connie Kaplan. "It was just a domestic dispute. There was no fighting involved. We are talking about 17-year-old children. We're not talking about 2-year-olds."

Hurley replied to Kaplan, "I realize when you have cases like this, there is definitely an argument that can be made about where is normal disciplining and where does abuse come in."

Hurley said that there appeared to be enough information gathered by police to justify the officer's arrest.

But "we know that ultimately, it doesn't mean that someone's going to be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," the judge said.

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At home Wednesday, Donohue's children had placed a backpack, papers and a Bible on a counter, near the kitchen, the arrest report said. But then their father allegedly threw the items on the floor and ordered that they be picked up, the report said.

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One teenager told their father he was going to hell for throwing the Bible on the floor, the report said.
Then Donohue allegedly replied that she should "shut up or I’m going to knock your teeth down your throat," the report said.

He allegedly struck one daughter, the report said. He also allegedly pushed the second teenager several times, according to police.