On January 25, 2025, at approximately 5:00pm, Naples Police Department received multiple 911 calls from reporters who stated a male had struck a child with a belt multiple times while located in the area of 25 12th Avenue South, The Naples Pier. Witnesses at the scene attempted to prevent the suspect from leaving in his vehicle but were unsuccessful. Responding officers encountered the suspect's vehicle leaving the area and conducted an investigatory stop in the 800 block of Gulf Shore Blvd North. Officers made contact with the male suspect, identified as Phillip Kennedy (55 YOA), who was later confirmed to be an active Police Officer with the Miccosukee Police Department. Kennedy admitted to striking his juvenile son, the victim, with a belt.

Multiple independent witnesses on-scene and provided sworn statements detailing the incident between Kennedy and the victim. The witnesses' accounts were consistent, indicating that Kennedy struck the victim with a belt and a closed fist multiple times, even after the juvenile fell to the ground in pain.

Following the completion of the on-scene investigation, Phillip Kennedy was placed under arrest for the offense of child abuse without causing great bodily harm and transported to the Naples Jail Center without incident.