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A 29-year-old man identified as Orlando Hernández is facing serious charges of aggravated child abuse causing great bodily harm and torture against his own son, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia.
The case has caused shock in Miami following the revelation of the details of the complaint and the testimony of the young victim.
On Tuesday, an officer from the Child Protection Team reached out to Fernández's son, a four-year-old boy who was later subjected to a medical and forensic evaluation.
According to the arrest report, the minor told officials that his father had tied him up, strangled him, grabbed his ankle, and thrown him inside a closet.
The investigators found that the child had bruises and marks around the wrists, consistent with signs of having been tied up.
During his interaction with the authorities, the minor used a toy monkey to recreate part of his experience.
According to the report -quoted by the local press- the child grabbed the toy by the neck, lifted it up, and stated: "My dad strangled me."
The investigation led to the arrest of Fernández, whose country of origin has not been disclosed.
At the time of his arrest, the police found in his possession a small transparent bag containing what is presumed to be cocaine powder, as well as two small white plastic devices used for smoking.
Fernández's girlfriend, who is listed as a witness in the case, denied having harmed the child but revealed to the officers that Fernández used to play "cops and robbers" with her son and that on previous occasions he had tied him up.
In addition, he informed the agents that there were zip ties in the kitchen cabinet, which matches the description provided by the minor.
During the interrogation, Fernández agreed to speak with the authorities without the presence of his lawyer and denied all the accusations against him, offering various excuses.
After the interview, he was formally arrested.
However, before being transferred to jail, he requested medical assistance and demanded to be taken to a hospital.
In his appearance before the court this Wednesday, the judge initially had considered setting a bail of $10,000 for Fernández, but later denied the possibility of bail for the charges of aggravated child abuse.
Regarding the drug-related charges, a bail of $1,500 was imposed. Fernández is expected to appear in court again this Thursday for an additional hearing.
Meanwhile, Fernández's son is currently under the care of his biological mother, who resides on the west coast of Florida.
Authorities continue to investigate the case and are gathering more evidence to proceed with the trial.
The case has generated great outrage and once again highlights the importance of child protection and the authorities' vigilance in cases of abuse.
Frequently Asked Questions about the child abuse case in Miami
Who is Orlando Fernández and why was he arrested?
Orlando Fernández is a 29-year-old man charged with aggravated child abuse resulting in great bodily harm and torture. He also faces charges of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested following serious allegations made by his four-year-old son, who reported being tied up and strangled by his father.
What evidence was presented against Orlando Fernández in the child abuse case?
The evidence against Orlando Fernández includes testimonies from the child, who reenacted his experience using a toy monkey, as well as medical reports confirming bruises and marks around the child's wrists, consistent with having been tied up. Additionally, zip ties were found in the kitchen cupboard, which matches the description given by the child.
What is Orlando Fernández's current legal situation?
Orlando Fernández is in custody without bail for charges of aggravated child abuse. However, he was granted a bail of $1,500 for the drug-related charges. His court appearance for an additional hearing is anticipated.
How is the child affected by the abuse?
The son of Orlando Fernández is currently under the care of his biological mother, who resides on the west coast of Florida. Authorities are continuing to investigate the case to proceed with the trial.
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