Report: Son of Florida Sen. Bill Nelson Charged With Police Battery

Only hours after Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson won re-election against opponent Katherine Harris, his 30-year-old son was arrested and charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and other felonies, The Miami Herald reported.

Orlando police said they were called to the scene of a fight that reportedly involved 20 people. When they arrived at 2:45 a.m., they found Charles William Nelson, apparently drunk, sparring with a man and attempting to drag an unconscious woman to a hotel, according to the Herald.

Charles Nelson tried to take the woman, Kimberly Baxter, away to a hotel when he heard that paramedics were on their way to help her.

The officer said Nelson — who had taken the stage at his father's victory party — smelled strongly of alcohol, his speech was slurred and he had poor balance. The report quoted the younger Nelson as saying Baxter was fine. It did not say what their relationship was.

Police told Nelson to put Baxter down, the newspaper reported, but instead he dropped her on the ground and refused to leave. He shouted at and pushed one of the officers, according to the Herald.

Charles Nelson also resisted arrest, police told the Herald. He was handcuffed, doused with pepper spray for two to three seconds and charged with battery of a law enforcement officer, disorderly intoxication and resisting arrest without violence, according to the newspaper.

A police spokeswoman did not immediately return a call seeking additional detail Wednesday. A spokesman for the senator, Dan McLaughlin, said Nelson was released from custody.

Nelson lives in Washington and is a Medicaid/Medicare consultant. The senator, a Democrat, issued a statement saying he and his wife didn't know all the facts but "we love our son and support him."

"This is a legal matter and he is taking personal responsibility," the senator said.

In Tuesday's election, the elder Nelson handily rebuffed a challenge from Harris, a Republican, who played a key role in the 2000 presidential election as Florida's secretary of state.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.