Miami-Dade County, FL — A Florida father is facing a child abuse charge after police accused him of repeatedly hitting his 5-year-old daughter with a plastic bathroom squeegee because of her behavior at school, including an incident in which she allegedly gave her teacher the middle finger.
Yoanny Herrera Nieblas, 44, was arrested after authorities investigated allegations involving the young girl. He is facing a charge of child abuse with no bodily harm, according to the arrest information.
Police say girl was hit during shower
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, the incident happened on Sept. 8 while the child was taking a shower.
Police said Herrera Nieblas entered the bathroom and confronted his daughter about what authorities described as her “poor behavior in school.”
The confrontation allegedly escalated when the father picked up a plastic bathroom squeegee and hit the girl multiple times on her backside.
Authorities said the alleged beating left the child with visible bruising that remained for at least three days.
The injuries became a central part of the investigation because Florida law places limits on when corporal punishment by a parent can become child abuse.
Father allegedly mentioned school behavior
After being read his Miranda rights, Herrera Nieblas allegedly told investigators that his daughter had “ongoing behavioral” issues at school, according to the affidavit.
Police said the father had most recently been contacted by the school about an incident involving the girl and her teacher.
According to the affidavit, school officials told Herrera Nieblas that his daughter had stuck her middle finger up to the teacher.
The girl reportedly admitted the act when her father questioned her about what had happened.
Investigators said Herrera Nieblas then told police he had attempted to discipline the child verbally, but believed his words were not getting through to her.
The father allegedly “escalated the discipline to spanking her” with the squeegee.
Florida law addresses corporal punishment
The case also centers on Florida’s rules regarding corporal discipline.
The state’s child abuse statute says corporal discipline by a parent or legal custodian for disciplinary purposes does not automatically constitute abuse when it does not result in harm to the child.
In this case, authorities alleged that the punishment resulted in physical harm because the girl developed bruises that remained visible for several days.
The arrest affidavit described the alleged conduct as intentional physical injury that did not rise to the level of great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement.
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Police ultimately arrested Herrera Nieblas and took him to the Miami-Dade County Jail.
Father pleads not guilty
Following his arrest, Herrera Nieblas was released after posting a $2,500 bond. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The affidavit stated that authorities believe the defendant knowingly and willfully abused the child by intentionally inflicting physical injury without causing great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement.
A date for his next court appearance was not immediately listed.
The allegations remain accusations, and Herrera Nieblas is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The case is expected to proceed through the legal system as authorities and the court address the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident.
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