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Mom of accused: UF player beat her son

Police investigate Jabar Gaffney's actions against teen charged with trying to steal scooter.

By DEBI JONES

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 27, 2001

GAINESVILLE -- The mother of the 15-year-old accused of trying to steal the motor scooter of Florida's Jabar Gaffney said the sophomore wide receiver beat her son.

Mary Barlow, mother of Justin Paul Barlow, said Monday that her son was pushed into a retention pond and kicked by Gaffney, 20, and another unidentified person.

"He would have killed my son," she said.

The University Police Department would not verify the allegations, but spokesman Joe Sharkey said possible charges against Gaffney were being investigated.

"I cannot comment at this time because it is still being investigated," Sharkey said.

Barlow and Charles Octavious Harden, 14, were arrested early Thursday and charged with felony theft of a motor vehicle. The juveniles confessed to the crime, according to police.

Mary Barlow said her son was taken to the hospital where he was treated for a concussion and severe bruises. She said her son was sat on and kicked. Hospital records showed Barlow visited the emergency room Friday.

"I'm not applauding what my son did; I know it was wrong," Mary Barlow said. "Gaffney was quoted as saying "it wasn't hard' to hold him. Of course it wasn't hard. He beat the hell out of my son."

Gaffney and Byron Hardmon, 20, listed on the police report as an eyewitness, refused to comment Monday. "The police know," Gaffney said.

Hardmon, a junior linebacker, attended practice Thursday afternoon with a cast on his foot. University officials said he had a stress fracture.

While Barlow said she planned to sue Gaffney for hospital bills and pain caused to her family, UF coach Steve Spurrier said he had faith in police to handle the matter.

"I heard (Gaffney) and the other guy roughed him up a little bit. I don't know how bad it was," Spurrier said. "I don't know all the details, so we will let the law take care of it. You can't go by hearsay."

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