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A mother was arrested on Saturday in Miami-Dade County for alleged child abuse after biting her eight-year-old daughter, while out on bail for a prior charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The woman, identified as Josephine Garcia, 27 years old, was detained by agents from the Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Department (M-DCSO) at a homeless shelter located at 28205 SW 124 Court. The official report states that the assault was classified as domestic violence without serious bodily injury.
Garcia was booked shortly after midnight on Sunday and appeared before Circuit Judge Charlie Johnson, who set bail at $3,000 dollars.
This is not the first violent incident in Garcia's history. On February 2, she was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and in 2018, she was detained on a similar charge by the Miami Police, although that case was later dismissed by the prosecutors. Both recent cases are under the jurisdiction of Judge Cristina Miranda, who issued restraining orders against the alleged victims.
This new case of alleged child abuse occurs in a context of growing social alarm regarding situations of abuse and child neglect in South Florida.
On April 10, a two-year-old girl was rescued in South Beach after being found naked, crying, and cold in her apartment while her parents were suffering from a drug overdose. The Florida Department of Children and Families warned that the child could have died had it not been for the swift police intervention.
In another case that has sparked great outrage within the community, Orlando Hernández, 29 years old, was arrested in March for torturing his four-year-old son, whom he allegedly tied up, strangled, and locked in a closet. The child recounted the abuse using a doll to reenact what happened. Hernández remains in custody without bail, charged with aggravated child abuse.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Child Abuse Case in Miami-Dade
Who is Josephine Garcia and why was she arrested?
Josephine Garcia is a 27-year-old mother arrested in Miami-Dade for alleged child abuse, accused of biting her eight-year-old daughter. At the time of her arrest, she was out on bail for a prior charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
What is Josephine Garcia's history of violence?
Josephine Garcia has a history of violence that includes an arrest on February 2 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a similar case in 2018 that was dismissed. Both recent cases are under the jurisdiction of Judge Cristina Miranda, who has issued restraining orders against the alleged victims.
What legal measures have been taken against Josephine Garcia following her latest arrest?
After her arrest for alleged child abuse, Josephine Garcia appeared before Judge Charlie Johnson, who set her bail at $3,000. She faces charges of domestic violence without serious bodily injury and remains under restraining orders related to her previous assault cases.
What is the social context in Miami-Dade regarding child abuse?
The case of Josephine Garcia adds to a series of recent incidents of child abuse in South Florida, which have raised public alarm. County authorities have reiterated the importance of reporting suspicious situations and reinforcing intervention protocols to protect at-risk minors.
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