Police: Hermitage Man John Broadbent Beat Parents, Says They Tried To Kill Him

HERMITAGE, Pa. -- A Hermitage man is in jail after police said he beat his elderly parents.

John Broadbent, 42, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault Thursday at his parents' home.

Police said Broadbent assaulted his parents, ages 78 and 75, because he claimed they tried to kill him three times and tried to poison him in his sleep.

“Motive? Don't know. Although he believed his parents were trying to kill him while he slept,” said Cpl. Brian Robison of the Hermitage Police Department.

According to police, Broadbent punched his mother and punched and kicked his father.

Both parents were taken by ambulance to Sharon Regional Health System for their injuries. Their conditions have not been released.

“They were both beaten badly, the worst I've ever seen,” said Robison.

Broadbent was arraigned and in the Mercer County Jail on $25,000 straight bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 17.