A Florida man who had been released from jail just days earlier is accused of choking a child and threatening bystanders with a knife at a school bus stop, an attack that was stopped by good Samaritans before police arrived, authorities said.
The witness who was holding Schwable down told police he was driving when he saw Schwable choking the boy and feared the boy was in immediate danger. The witness made a U-turn to intervene. Not knowing if Schwable was armed, the witness grabbed his toolbox.
The witness said he hit Schwable twice with his toolbox in self-defense when Schwable held up a knife.
Schwable was taken to a hospital for treatment before being booked into jail on a $5,000 bond. He is charged with aggravated child abuse and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Schwable is currently homeless, officials said.
Jail and court records reviewed by FOX 35 show Schwable had been released from custody on Jan. 13, after prosecutors dropped unrelated charges including indecent exposure and possession of drug paraphernalia following three weeks in jail.
Authorities have not said whether Schwable knew the child. He remains in custody as the investigation continues. Fox News Digital has reached out to the DeLand Police Department for comment.