A Miami-Dade County father is facing a child abuse charge after deputies accused him of striking his 5-year-old daughter several times with a plastic bathroom squeegee during an incident at their home.
Yoanny Herrera Nieblas, 44, was arrested after deputies investigated allegations involving the child. According to the arrest report, the incident happened Sept. 8 at a residence in the Kendall West area of Miami-Dade County.
Investigators said the girl was taking a shower when Herrera Nieblas entered the bathroom and confronted her about what he described as poor behavior at school.
The arrest report states that Herrera Nieblas had recently been told by the school that his daughter had made an obscene gesture toward her teacher. When he asked the girl about the incident, investigators said she admitted doing it.
According to the report, Herrera Nieblas told investigators that his daughter had been experiencing ongoing behavioral problems at school and that he had previously tried to address them through verbal discipline.
Deputies allege that the situation escalated when he struck the girl multiple times on the buttocks with a plastic bathroom squeegee.
The child was left with visible bruising, which investigators said remained noticeable for more than three days.
The allegations also became significant under Florida’s child-protection law. State law says corporal discipline by a parent does not automatically constitute abuse when it does not cause harm. However, the statute also addresses excessively harsh disciplinary actions and lists significant bruises or welts among injuries that may be considered evidence of harm.
Herrera Nieblas is facing one count of child abuse involving no great bodily harm. The arrest affidavit alleges that he intentionally inflicted physical injury on the child without causing great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement.
He was booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail following his arrest. Available reports indicate that he later posted a $2,500 bond.
Herrera Nieblas has pleaded not guilty. His next court appearance was not immediately listed in the available information.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and the criminal case will determine whether prosecutors can establish the charge against him.
