A man is charged with first-degree murder after sheriff's officials said he beat his mother to death Tuesday evening in the apartment they shared.

Danny Martin, 30, was arrested early Thursday in connection with the death of his mother, Heidi Mittica, 48.

The Broward Sheriff's Office said Mittica didn't show up to work Wednesday, and her body was discovered in her home at 111 N. Pompano Beach Blvd. when her employer sent someone to check on her Wednesday afternoon.

BSO said investigators believe Martin beat Mittica to death, wrapped her body in a blanket and tried to clean up the scene of the crime before escaping.

Martin was arrested just after midnight Wednesday. Detectives said he was hiding in his mother's car, which was parked at 120 Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton.

"We all have a mom. We all want to protect her. Generally that's the instinct, so there's definitely something wrong with somebody who would kill his own mother," said Dani Moschella, of BSO. "It was an especially brutal crime."

BSO said Martin had cuts on his face and hands, and his hands were bruised. Authorities believe he got the injuries while he beat his mother.

"They were on his shoulder, on his hands. His hands were somewhat swollen," Moschella said. "So this all happened as he was attacking his mother."

Martin is being held at BSO's Main Jail on a charge of first-degree murder. Deputies said Martin, who had been living with his mother, has "an extensive criminal history."

PHOTOS: Danny Martin's many mugshots

In the past, Martin has been charged with: shooting or throwing a missile, shooting or throwing into an occupied building, driving on a suspended license, evasion to pay tolls, battery, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and several probation violations.