INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A man suspected of punching his disabled girlfriend who is confined to a wheelchair told deputies he was tired of being the woman’s main caregiver, deputies said.
The woman, who has no arms or legs, told deputies the man, later identified as Patrick Moan, beats her up about two times a month when he drinks.
Moan, 37, was charged with battery and is being held at the Indian River County Jail on $1,000 bond. His address was not available.
Deputies went to the scene about 4 p.m. Sunday at Walmart in the 5500 block of 20th Street, west of Vero Beach.
Deputies spoke to the woman, who said Moan, her live-in boyfriend, punched her during an argument at the store and occasionally beats her a couple times a month. She is unable to call 911 because of her condition and Moan broke the woman’s cellphone about two weeks ago, deputies said.
Deputies spoke with Moan, who said after he hit the woman, they both went to the front entrance of the store and told another patron of the incident. The patron then called 911.
Moan admitted to deputies he has hit the woman in the past and said he is “tired of taking care of her and pushing her in her wheelchair everywhere.” He said that if he punched her and then confessed, then he would no longer have to take care of her and she would become the state’s problem.
The woman was taken to the Indian River Medical Center for treatment while Moan was taken to the county jail. Moan has an arraignment at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 27 in court, court records show.
