Stepfather of boy rescued by Orlando restaurant server found guilty of abuse
The stepfather of a boy rescued by an Orlando restaurant manager who noticed the child had bruises was found guilty on multiple abuse charges, according to the state attorneyโs office.
3-year-old burned after man pours gunpowder into fire pit, Eustis police say
A 3-year-old boy was burned after his father poured gunpowder into a fire pit, causing it to explode, according to the Eustis Police Department.
Woman burned girlโs privates with hot water as punishment, Palm Bay police say
A pregnant woman is accused of burning a girlโs privates, buttocks and lower back with hot water as a form of punishment, according to Palm Bay police.
Former Central Florida figure skating coach accused of sexually abusing student
ORLANDO, Fla. โ A former Olympic-level figure skating coach accused of sexually assaulting one of his students has been arrested and booked into the Orange County jail. Andrei Berekhovski trained up-and-coming figure skating superstars at the Ice Factory rink in Kissimmee and lived in Windermere and Orlando, according to court records. Orange County Sheriffโs Office officials confirmed the information. He was deemed โineligibleโ to coach or participate in figure skating until further notice. Figure Skating upheld the grievance and posted the disciplinary action on the organizationโs website.
โDo you need help?โ Orlando restaurant manager uses secret sign to help rescue abused boy, police say
ORLANDO, Fla. โ An observant manager at an Orlando restaurant helped rescue a boy who police say was the victim of severe child abuse, including being suspended upside down from a door, by secretly holding a sign that only the child could read. OKโ and held it up to the boy while standing behind the man so he couldnโt see it, police said. โDo you need help?โ Orlando server uses secret sign to help rescue abused boy, police sayThe childโs stepfather, Timothy Wilson II was arrested on one count of third-degree child abuse. Wilson was arrested on multiple counts of aggravated child abuse and child neglect. โIt was ongoing abuse and torture.โThe Orlando Police Department said it regularly encourages people who see something to say something.
Orange County sheriffโs deputy arrested on child abuse charges
ORLANDO, Fla. โ An Orange County deputy was arrested Sunday on child abuse charges, the same day he was fired from the agency in an unrelated matter, according to sheriffโs officials. The Orange County Sheriffโs Office said Deputy Christopher Dougherty was arrested three days after deputies responded to a 911 call about a residential alarm. Dougherty was taken to a hospital under the Baker Act and, upon his release from the hospital, he was arrested, the sheriffโs office said. The Sheriffโs Office said Doughtery was terminated from the agency Sunday for an unsatisfactory performance finding in a separate matter. โWhile this deputy was terminated for a pattern of unsatisfactory performance, these are very serious criminal allegations,โ Orange County Sheriff John Mina said.
Facebook video showing child abuse leads to Orange County coupleโs arrest
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. โ An Orange County couple was arrested after multiple people reported a video posted to Facebook that showed a young girl being slapped and forced to sleep outside without clothing, according to the Sheriffโs Office. A video posted to social media showed the child sleeping outside with no clothing and only a white towel, according to the arrest report. โMany of you reached out about a video on social media depicting alleged abuse of a child,โ the Sheriffโs Office said in a social media post. Hunt told deputies the child was jumping on the bed and fell on a laptop prior to being punished. Hunt is charged with failure to report child abuse and neglect of a child.
Experts see no proof of child-abuse surge amid pandemic
โIโm not aware of any data that would substantiate that children are being abused at a higher rate during the pandemic,โ he told The Associated Press. Comprehensive data on abuse during the pandemic wonโt be available for many months, according to Milner. She and others have noted some changes during the pandemic โ for example, more accidental injuries from burns, falls and mishaps on farms. What they have not seen is a surge of child abuse. However, Letourneau is encouraged by one recent trend โ more older children are calling hotlines themselves to report exploitation and abuse.
State Attorney Aramis Ayala announces efforts to combat domestic violence during coronavirus pandemic
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. โ Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala says she is collaborating with allies to help combat domestic abuse as concern around the coronavirus grows in Central Florida. Officials said the efforts are meant to assist in protecting victims of domestic violence, child abuse and animal cruelty as people are asked to stay home more often and for a longer period of time. โAt the end of the day we want to make certain that victimsโ lives are safe,โ Ayala said. According to the State Attorneyโs Office, data shows domestic violence and child abuse increases during financial stress, with the virus contributing to factors that may result in a higher likelihood of the abuse toward women, children and pets. A coalition of Central Florida leaders, including those tasked with preventing abuse and providing a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and child abuse, discussed the resources available to those who may be in need of assistance.