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Orlando Fernandez Jr. (Miami-Dade County).
A Florida man is facing felony child abuse charges for tying up and choking his 4-year-old son during a game of “cops and robbers,” according to police.
Orlando Fernandez Jr., 29, was arrested this week by the Miami Police Department on aggravated child abuse and torture charges for allegedly roughing up his son back on Jan. 1 while the two of them were together at Fernandez’s home with his girlfriend, who confirmed that he abused the child that day, according to police.
“My dad choked me,” the boy told investigators, according to Fernandez’s arrest report, which was obtained by local ABC affiliate WPLG this week.
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Police said they first learned about the “cops and robbers” game after receiving a report from the University of Miami Child Protection Team. Forensic interviewers reportedly spoke with the 4-year-old, as well as Fernandez’s girlfriend, before charging Fernandez on Monday with aggravated child abuse and drug possession. Police said in Fernandez’s arrest report that a “small baggie containing suspected cocaine and two white plastic smoking devices” was found inside his home.
A medical evaluation of Fernandez’s son showed bruising and physical marks on his wrists related to the restraints his dad put him in that day, according to police. Zip ties were allegedly used and found inside the home. The boy said his dad grabbed him by his ankle at one point and violently threw him into a closet.
Fernandez’s girlfriend, who has denied being involved, claimed he was known to play “cops and robbers” before the incident on New Year’s Day.
Fernandez confessed to abusing his son after initially denying the allegations against him, police say. He is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami, according to online records. His bond is listed as “to be set.”
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