Bradenton Cop Charged With Felony Child Abuse

BRADENTON, FL — A Bradenton police officer was fired from his job this week after authorities arrested and charged him with abusing a child.

Nicolas Leeman, 29, was arrested on a Hillsborough County warrant and booked into the Manatee County Jail, where he is awaiting extradition, the Bradenton Police Department said in a statement.

Leeman was charged with felony child abuse in connection with an off-duty incident involving one of his children, authorities said.

Police did not release additional details about the incident.

Bradenton police confirmed Leeman, who joined the agency in October 2022, had been terminated.

"The Bradenton Police Department expects all members, both on and off duty, to uphold the highest standards of conduct," Bradenton police said in a statement. "The alleged actions are unacceptable, contradict our mission to ensure a safe community and do not align with the department's values."

The investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is ongoing.