Miami police arrested a 40-year-old father on Wednesday after his 6-year-old son told investigators the man hit him with plastic hangers and described other painful acts, according to an arrest report. The case came to light when the child's aunt alerted officers, handing over a recording of a conversation she overheard between the boy and her daughters.
In that recording, the child said his father would inappropriately touch him, then later acted out the behavior for relatives, police said. Responding officers noted fading bruises on the boy's legs. Investigators say the child then grabbed a pen and struck a sofa to show how he was hit with hangers. The aunt also told detectives the suspect has a history of substance abuse and aggressive behavior toward family members, according to the report.
The father, identified by police as Alexander Herrera, later sat down with detectives, blamed the injuries on a fall from a bicycle, and at first denied recent drug use before admitting it, according to the arrest report. He was taken into custody and booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center while he awaits a court hearing, as reported by WSVN.
Medical Exam And Investigators' Findings
A Child Protection Team nurse examined the 6-year-old and documented bruising on his lower legs, a laceration, and injuries in the area between the buttocks. Investigators wrote that "the injuries were consistent with the child's account." Police say the boy at first denied any inappropriate touching during a formal interview, then later said he had been struck with plastic hangers and described additional acts that caused him pain. Those medical findings and the child's forensic interview are cited in the arrest report, according to WSVN.
Legal Context
Under Florida law, child abuse includes the intentional infliction of physical or mental injury, and aggravated child abuse is treated as a more serious offense in cases involving great bodily harm or permanent injury. The statute details the legal definitions and potential penalties that prosecutors may weigh as the case moves forward, as outlined by the Florida Statutes (section 827.03).
Where To Report And Get Help
If you suspect a child is being harmed, you can call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873 or file a report online through the state's portal, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families. Families in Miami-Dade County who need medical, legal, or mental-health support related to child abuse can contact Kristi House, the county's accredited Child Advocacy Center, which coordinates services for child victims and their non-offending relatives.
A court hearing in Herrera's case is pending, and Miami police have not released further details while the investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact Miami police or the Florida Abuse Hotline.
