Luis Roberto Cruz, 45, was arrested in Miami after being accused of child abuse following the discovery of his 15-year-old daughter, who had been reported missing, safe and sound.
The minor, who had been absent from her home since the previous Friday, presented herself at her high school, where she informed the authorities that she had deliberately fled her home to escape physical abuse by her father.
The statements from the teenager and her 17-year-old brother led to an investigation that resulted in the father's arrest, who now faces formal charges and is under restrictions regarding contact with his children.
Accusations of physical abuse: Nayeli's account
The spokesperson for the Miami police, Mike Vega, explained in statements to America Tevé that after locating the teenager, they began to talk to her, and she confessed that she had run away from home because her father had hit her.
The arrest report indicates that the assault took place on April 11.
Cruz allegedly struck his daughter in the face several times and then kicked her in the knee, which resulted in a bruise.
Nayeli also recounted that this type of violence was not an isolated incident, and that both she and her brother were frequent victims of physical abuse.
The teenager added that that night she waited for her father to leave for work and ran away from home.
He also revealed that during the argument, his father "threatened to commit suicide," which heightened his fear and urgency to escape.
The brother's testimony: A pattern of violence
Nayeli's 17-year-old brother confirmed the story.
In his interview with the police, he confessed that not only had he witnessed his father beating his sister, but that he himself was also a recurring victim.
He recalled that the last time he suffered abuse was in November 2024, when his father "punched him in the face, chest, and legs."
In addition, the young man stated that Cruz had instructed him to “lie to the police if they asked about physical abuse at home.”
Vega himself confirmed it: “When we were talking to the boy, he didn't want to say much, and later he told us that his father had told him not to tell the police that they had been beaten by him.”
The father defends himself
Luis Roberto Cruz denied all the allegations.
He stated that “I only disciplined them when they misbehaved, taking away their electronic devices.”
She added that the discussion with her daughter had been verbal and revolved around moving to Connecticut.
During the hearing, she stated, "Sometimes I have to be a little strict with her because she always gets into trouble at school," but she insisted that she loved both her daughter and her son equally.
"I always tell them: 'You are my favorite son and you are my favorite daughter,' because you are my only children," he added.
Despite his statements, he was arrested and appeared in court this Wednesday.
The judge imposed a bail of $5,000 and a restraining order from his children.
"You must follow the instructions from the Florida Department of Children. If they grant you supervised visits, it will not be a violation. It is a restraining order," said Judge Mindy S. Glazer during the hearing.
State Intervention: Protection for Minors
Given the seriousness of the testimonies and the reported pattern of behavior, the Florida Department of Children and Families intervened immediately.
According to the police report, a "security plan" was implemented to protect the teenagers, who are currently under the custody of that state entity.
Local media did not mention the mother of the minors.
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