A 10-year-old girl found with scars covering her neck, arms and chest told detectives she was being beaten at home almost every day with a phone charging cord, and now her mother is facing felony charges over the alleged abuse. Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office deputies took 42-year-old Ketsia Pierre Paul into custody on Monday in Northwest Miami-Dade after the girl's injuries were reported to child welfare authorities through her school.
According to WPLG Local 10, school officials contacted the Department of Children and Families after noticing the marks on the girl's body. Investigators say the child had multiple marks on her neck, arms and chest, and she was examined by a Child Protection Team, which advised that her scars and abrasions were consistent with being struck by a phone charging cord.
Girl Was Too Afraid to Name Her Abuser
The girl initially told investigators she was afraid to identify who had been hurting her, according to the outlet's report. She eventually said the person responsible had a name starting with the letter K, and the station's report notes that Pierre Paul was the only person living with the girl whose name began with that letter, per the arrest report.
The girl told detectives she was being abused at home almost daily with the cord. Per the same account, Pierre Paul admitted to seeing the child's injuries but told investigators she never sought medical attention for the girl or asked who was harming her.
Charges Carry Steep Prison Exposure
Pierre Paul is now facing felony aggravated child abuse charges with great bodily harm, along with felony child neglect charges with great bodily harm. Under Florida Statute § 827.03(1)(a), aggravated child abuse involving great bodily harm is classified as a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in state prison, 30 years of probation and a $10,000 fine, according to Hanlon Law. The state's Criminal Punishment Code ranks the offense as a Level 9 crime requiring a mandatory minimum prison sentence upon conviction unless a judge grants a downward departure.
The neglect count carries its own weight. Under Florida Statute § 827.03, child neglect resulting in great bodily harm is charged as a second-degree felony carrying a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines, according to the Law Office of Leanna J. Smith. Pierre Paul was being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, with her bond still to be set as of Thursday.
School Staff Are Legally Bound to Report
The case underscores why Florida places such a heavy legal obligation on educators to speak up. Under Florida Statute § 39.201, school teachers, officials and childcare workers are legally designated mandatory reporters required to notify the Department of Children and Families immediately whenever child abuse or neglect is suspected, as explained by SJR State. Failure by a mandatory reporter to disclose known or suspected abuse is itself a third-degree felony under Florida law.
The forensic medical exam in this case was conducted by a Child Protection Team.
Part of a Broader Local Pattern
Kristi House is a Children's Advocacy Center with a multidisciplinary team. Representatives from the State Attorney's Office, DCF, local police departments and the UM Child Protection Team meet there. In 2023, Kristi House and its partner team provided advocacy, therapy and case management services to 1,570 child victims and their families across the county.
This case follows another disturbing local arrest. Just days earlier, Hoodline reported that a Hialeah mom faced abuse charges after her 10-year-old daughter was found with burn injuries and reportedly tied to a chair.
The arrest was made by the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office. Bond was listed as to be set as of Thursday.
