Miami couple accused of abusing a 13-year-old girl they met at church

A couple from Miami was arrested in Lehigh Acres, Florida, after being accused of abusing a 13-year-old girl they met at church, authorities reported.

The detained individuals, identified as Edwin Erasmo Vásquez Vásquez, 50, and Yulian Jaqueline García Castro, 39, face multiple charges, including sexual assault, lascivious behavior, and lewd conduct involving a minor, according to local media reports.

According to the Miami Police, the events took place between July and December 2023, but the investigation began in November when the teenager and her parents reported the incidents.

According to police reports cited by the media, the minor stated that the first incident occurred when she spent the night at the couple's house and slept in the same bed they shared with their two children. From that moment on, other episodes of abuse reportedly took place in the following months.

Local media reported that on several occasions, García Castro encouraged the inappropriate acts. There were also reports of incidents in which the couple allegedly attempted to commit other assaults unsuccessfully, according to the arrest warrant.

The spokesperson for the Miami Police, Mike Vega, explained in statements to America Tevé that the minor was afraid to report what had happened, but eventually told her parents, which led to the opening of the investigation.

After the report, Vásquez Vásquez and García Castro fled Miami, but last Wednesday they were arrested in Lehigh Acres. Both were taken to the Lee County jail, where they will remain until being transferred to Miami-Dade to face the charges.

Authorities have indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that new accusations could arise, reiterating their commitment to the fight against child sexual abuse.

"The Miami Police Department takes allegations of child sexual abuse very seriously and is committed to protecting victims and holding perpetrators accountable," the institution stated in a statement quoted by media outlets such as Telemundo 51.

In recent months, several cases of child abuse and sexual crimes have shaken communities in Miami and Texas, with arrests and ongoing legal proceedings.

Similar cases have occurred in Miami, such as that of a 61-year-old Cuban, who was against two minors aged 9 and 10 in his own home. The report was filed by the children's mother, and the accused was arrested without bail. A few days later, another Cuban in Miami was arrested after it was discovered that he had engaged in sexual relations with a 16-year-old girl and had threatened to harm her if she reported him.

In November, the police conducted an undercover operation in which they apprehended a man who attempted to engage in relations with a 12-year-old girl. The individual, who had sent explicit messages and photos to the minor, was arrested while trying to meet her at a shopping mall in the city.

The impact of these crimes is not limited to Florida. In January 2025, one Cuban couple in Texas was arrested for sexually assaulting their one-year-old daughter and recording the abuse on video. Authorities discovered the material following a report to the TikTok platform, which led to a police operation that resulted in the arrest of those involved.

The most recent case was reported in February 2025 in Miami, when a 51-year-old man was arrested for alleged child abuse against his two granddaughters, aged 5 and 7. The family, who lived with the grandparents, discovered the events after moving to another location, which led to the report and the capture of the suspect.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Child Abuse Case in Miami