HIALEAH, Fla. – A couple from Hialeah is facing charges after video captured the man beating his 7-year-old son last month at an after-school care program.
The incident was reported Feb. 26 at Hialeah School of Self Defense at 1982 E. Fourth Ave.
According to an arrest report, Ana Herrada, 42, and Reinaldo Herrada, 52, turned themselves in to police on Wednesday. They have since bonded out of jail.
Detectives said the incident happened after a witness at the program told the couple that their son was playing around and didn't do his homework.
Police said Reinaldo Herrada took his son into the bathroom and began to "chastise and scold him loudly."
The witness told police that she heard the boy crying and the father then came out of the bathroom and pointed to the floor.
According to the report, the victim immediately kneeled to the floor and began to cry.
Video obtained by Local 10 News shows the boy screaming, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." His father is then seen striking him across the back with a folded karate belt.
Police said Ana Herrada urged her husband to continue hitting the boy, saying, "Hit him harder. He deserves it."
According to the report, the witness told police that she tried to intervene, but the father wouldn't stop beating his son and the family then left.
Ana Herrada faces a child neglect charge for allegedly urging her husband to beat their son, while Reinaldo Herrada faces a child abuse charge.
"It is definitely not a felony, and just for the misdemeanor there has to be significant bruises or welts," Reinaldo Herrada's attorney said in bond court Thursday. "There is no evidence of pain. It was just embarrassment. It was intended to correct a child who was misbehaving."
But Miami-Dade County Judge Mindy Glazer said there was probable cause for the charges against both Reinaldo Herrada and his wife and issued a stay-away order against the couple regarding their son.
The Florida Department of Children and Families said it has an open investigation against the couple and the boy has been placed into foster care.
DCF has had no prior involvement with the family.
Employees at the Hialeah School of Self Defense refused to speak to Local 10 News reporter Todd Tongen about the incident.