MELBOURNE, Fla. — Deputies are searching for a 37-year-old Melbourne man they said beat his ex-girlfriend and her 9-year-old so badly they had to be hospitalized.
The Sheriff's Office said the victim and the suspect, Kevin Fitser, didn't go out together for very long time, only about a week, but they believe the breakup sparked the beating on Sunday.
The Brevard County Sheriff's Office said they think Fitser broke into a neighbor's home at the Aurora Pines mobile home park on Sunday, upset over their recent breakup.
Deputies said the victim awoke to find Fitser in her home. They said he then beat her with a blunt object, and when her 9-year-old got out of bed, he was beaten, too.
The woman managed to call 911, but Fitser was gone when police arrived.
Investigators said the woman remains hospitalized in serious condition, but her child was released.
The Sheriff's Office said there were two other children in the home at the time of the attack, but they were unharmed.
Deputies said Fitser is driving a 1999 black Plymouth Breeze with Florida tag number: APHE74. They said he may be traveling to south Florida.
"He may be en route to Fort Lauderdale," said Deputy Maria Fernez. "He does have connections to Fort Lauderdale."
Anyone with information is urged to call the Brevard County Sheriff's Office or CrimeLine at 800-423-TIPS (8477).