LARGO - Thomas M. Mansley told police he wanted his father to listen, that he wanted his undivided attention.
Judging by what police said he did Wednesday morning, he probably got it.
Police said Mansley, 57, forced his way into his 82-year-old father's mobile home in Four Seasons Estates. He tied the elderly man up with nylon rope, gagged him with a pillow case and started hitting him, police said.
A neighbor noticed a disturbance at the home and called police, then went over and freed Mansley's father from his binds, police said.
The elderly man suffered bumps and bruises and was taken to Largo Medical Center, where he was treated and released, police said.
Largo police arrested Mansley of Largo on charges of kidnapping and burglary with battery. He was being held at the Pinellas County Jail without bail Wednesday night.
Mansley, who is 6 feet 3, told officers that he went to his father's home at 13225 101st St. SE to "beat his a--," arrest reports state. Police said Mansley apparently wanted to talk to his father about their relationship. Mansley, who appeared to be intoxicated, told officers he had hit his father several times after tying him up and gagging him, police said.
"He basically said that he wanted him to listen to him," Officer Scott Gore said. "The words "undivided attention' came up a few times. I think he got it."
