‘Cops and robbers’ or child abuse? Miami man accused of tying up, choking 4-year-old son

A 29-year-old father from Miami’s Spring Garden neighborhood is facing serious charges after police say he abused his 4-year-old son under the guise of playing “cops and robbers,” earlier this year.

Miami police said Orlando Fernandez Jr. was arrested Monday after investigators received a report from the University of Miami Child Protection Team detailing allegations of abuse.

Investigators said the child told forensic interviewers on New Year’s Day that Fernandez tied him up, choked him, and threw him in a closet. A medical evaluation found bruising and marks on the child’s wrists consistent with being restrained, according to an arrest report obtained by Local 10 News on Wednesday.

During the interview, police said the child demonstrated the abuse on a toy monkey, lifting it by the neck and stating, “My dad choked me.”

When detectives arrived at the CPT office, they said Fernandez was detained and transported to the Miami Police Department’s Special Victims Unit. A search revealed a “small baggie containing suspected cocaine and two white plastic smoking devices,” the report stated.

Fernandez’s girlfriend, who was interviewed by police, denied harming the child but admitted knowing that Fernandez played “cops and robbers” with him and had previously tied him up, according to investigators.

She also told officers that zip ties were kept in a kitchen cabinet, police said.

During questioning, police said Fernandez initially denied the allegations but he later made a confession that was redacted in the publicly-released report.

Following his arrest, they said Fernandez requested medical attention.

Jail records show Fernandez faces three counts of aggravated child abuse with torture while causing great bodily harm in each incident and one count each of possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

As of Wednesday, he is being held Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond is listed as “to be set.”