Firefighters Waterboard Rookie Over TikTok

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Florida firefighters used torture techniques on a 19-year-old rookie during his second shift, waterboarding him three times and whipping him with his own belt—all because he wouldn’t unlock his phone to show a TikTok video. This hazing incident at Fire Station 21 has led to felony charges against four Marion County Fire Rescue employees and the immediate termination of ten total staff, exposing a dangerous culture that escalated physical harassment to criminal assault.

Story Snapshot

Four Marion County firefighters face felony charges, including kidnapping, battery, and robbery, for torturing a rookie
The victim was chased, stripped, belt-whipped on bare skin, and waterboarded three times over, refusing to share TikTok access
Ten total employees were fired from Fire Station 21 after the November 26 assault during the rookie’s second shift
Station culture of “roughhousing” enabled escalation to felony assault, exposing dangerous hazing practices in first responder agencies

Felony Charges Filed Against Four Firefighters

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods announced criminal charges against four Marion County Fire Rescue employees following a hazing incident at Fire Station 21. Seth Day, 22, faces kidnapping, battery, and robbery charges. Kaylee Bradley, 25, was charged with robbery and accessory to robbery after she videotaped the assault and seized the victim’s phone. Tate Trauthwein and Edward Kenny also face charges for their roles in whipping and restraining the 19-year-old rookie firefighter during what began as curiosity over a viral TikTok video.

The charges stem from a November 26 incident where veteran firefighters chased the rookie through the station parking lot after he refused to unlock his phone. Sheriff Woods emphasized the victim “fought and refused” throughout the ordeal, making clear the assault was non-consensual. The perpetrators should have recognized their actions crossed all professional and legal boundaries, yet continued escalating violence against a teenager on only his second day of work.

Florida firefighters allegedly waterboarded, whipped rookie over TikTok video as 4 face criminal charges https://t.co/1zGFdEBxpA pic.twitter.com/JciOJLaXML

— New York Post (@nypost) January 1, 2026

Waterboarding and Physical Assault Details Revealed

Investigation documents reveal the extent of the assault perpetrated against the rookie. Colleagues forcibly removed his pants and underwear, whipped him with his own belt on bare skin, and dragged him across the ground. The most disturbing element involved waterboarding—a recognized torture technique—administered three times using a water bottle and towel. This represents an unprecedented escalation from traditional firehouse pranks to methods associated with enemy interrogation, demonstrating complete abandonment of professional standards.

The assault was captured on video by paramedic Kaylee Bradley, who later admitted that while “roughhousing” was common at the station, this incident “went way too far.” Her acknowledgment reveals a troubling culture where physical harassment was normalized, creating conditions that enabled this extreme violence. The victim’s phone was seized during the assault, adding robbery charges to the growing list of felonies committed over access to social media content.

Ten Employees Terminated in Swift Response

Fire Chief James Banta immediately terminated ten employees, describing the incident as a “disturbing violation of everything that this profession stands for.” The mass firings included not only the four criminally charged individuals but also others present who failed to intervene or report the assault. This decisive action demonstrates recognition that the station’s culture had deteriorated beyond individual misconduct to systemic failure in maintaining basic human decency and professional standards.

The rookie firefighter courageously returned to work serving the community despite the trauma inflicted by his colleagues. His resilience contrasts sharply with the cowardice displayed by senior firefighters who betrayed their oath to protect and serve. Marion County Fire Rescue now faces the challenge of rebuilding public trust while investigating whether similar hazing practices exist at other stations, threatening the integrity of emergency services taxpayers depend upon for life-saving assistance.

Watch the report: New details in alleged Marion County firefighter hazing investigation