91-Year-Old Jailed 8 Days For Alleged Threat On Nurse - Local News Story - WKMG Orlando
91-Year-Old Jailed 8 Days For Alleged Threat On Nurse
World War II Vet Claims Police Used Excessive Force
DeLAND, Fla. -- A 91-year-old World War II veteran spent eight days in jail after being accused of threatening his caregiver who apparently refused to let him take a walk around his assisted-living facility.
William Kepler was arrested at Deerfoot Manor Alf, an assisted-living home in DeLand, after an incident involving his nurse.
DeLand police were called to the facility, and Kepler was arrested after police said he refused to obey their commands.
Kepler said officers used excessive force on him during the incident.
After eight days in custody, James Floyd, who did not know Kepler, paid a $6,000 bond and took him into his own home.
"There is no excuse for what they did to him, especially when he did not show a firearm or pull a firearm or pull a weapon," Floyd said. "They just flat took him down."
Floyd said he bailed the 91-year-old out of jail because it upset him that he was behind bars.
"This man here, he fought for his country. He fought for me. He fought for you. That's why we're here. If it wasn't for him, this would be a messed up place. It tears me up," Floyd said.
Kepler admitted that he had a fake gun on his person but said he never pulled it out, according to the Local 6 News report.
"They should have an ethical (manager) in there watching them and correcting them. They are plenty wrong," Kepler said of the assisted-living home. "They need a legitimate, honest person to guide them because they're crooks."
The DeLand Police Department said any force was used because they said Kepler did not obey to their commands.