Luis Roberto Cruz, aged 45, found himself in police custody in Miami following accusations of child abuse. This development occurred after his 15-year-old daughter, previously reported missing, was found unharmed. The teenager, who had been absent from home since the previous Friday, showed up at her high school and informed authorities that she had intentionally run away to escape her father's physical abuse.
Her account, corroborated by her 17-year-old brother, prompted an investigation that led to their father's arrest. He now faces formal charges and has been ordered to have no contact with his children.
Allegations of Physical Abuse: Nayeli's Account
Mike Vega, a spokesperson for the Miami police, shared with America Tevé that the teenager opened up to them once she was found. She revealed that she had fled her home because her father had physically assaulted her. The arrest report details an incident on April 11, where Cruz allegedly struck his daughter in the face multiple times and kicked her in the knee, resulting in a bruise.
Nayeli described this as part of a recurring pattern of violence affecting both her and her brother. She explained that she waited for her father to leave for work that night before escaping. She also mentioned that during an argument, her father had "threatened to commit suicide," increasing her fear and urgency to leave.
The Brother's Testimony: A Pattern of Violence
Nayeli's brother supported her claims. During his police interview, he admitted to witnessing his sister being beaten and also disclosed that he was frequently abused. He recounted a specific incident in November 2024, when his father "punched him in the face, chest, and legs." Furthermore, the young man stated that Cruz instructed him to "lie to the police if questioned about any physical abuse at home."
Vega confirmed this, explaining, "When we spoke with the boy, he was initially reluctant to talk, later revealing that his father had told him not to inform the police about the abuse they had suffered."
The Father's Defense
Luis Roberto Cruz denied all accusations against him, claiming that he merely disciplined his children by taking away their electronic devices for misbehavior. He asserted that his altercation with his daughter was verbal, centering on a potential move to Connecticut. In court, he stated, "Sometimes I have to be a little strict with her because she often gets into trouble at school," but he maintained his love for both his daughter and son.
"I always tell them, 'You're my favorite son and you're my favorite daughter,' because they are my only children," he added. Despite his defense, he was arrested and appeared in court this Wednesday, where Judge Mindy S. Glazer set his bail at $5,000 and issued a restraining order.
"You must follow the Florida Department of Children's instructions. If they grant you supervised visits, it will not violate the restraining order," Judge Glazer instructed during the hearing.
State Intervention: Ensuring Children's Safety
Given the severity of the accounts and the reported pattern of behavior, the Florida Department of Children and Families intervened promptly. According to the police report, a "safety plan" has been put in place to protect the teenagers, who are currently in the custody of the state agency. Local media did not provide information regarding the children's mother.
Legal and Social Implications of Abuse Allegations
What charges is Luis Roberto Cruz facing?
Luis Roberto Cruz is facing charges of child abuse based on allegations from his children of physical violence.
How did the authorities become aware of the abuse allegations?
The authorities were informed of the abuse allegations when Cruz's daughter reported the violence to her school officials after returning from being missing.
What steps has the state taken to protect the children?
The Florida Department of Children and Families has implemented a safety plan and currently has custody of the children to ensure their protection.