Monroe County detention deputy arrested on child abuse charge

Arrest report says Juan Cotto pulled girl's arms, twisted her wrist

Monroe County Sheriff's Office Deputy Juan Cotto was arrested on a child abuse charge in Homestead.

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – A Monroe County Sheriff's Office detention deputy was arrested Monday night on a child abuse charge.

Juan Cotto, 47, was arrested by Homestead police. He was being held at the Turner-Guilford Knight Correctional Center on $5,000 bond.

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Cotto had been assigned to the Marathon jail.

According to a Homestead police report, Cotto was sitting at Homestead Hospital with a 3-year-old girl who was being playful until he grabbed her by the wrist.

Cotto "then pulled the child's arm back and forth, twisting her wrist as he also restrained her," the report said. The report didn't identify the girl's relationship with Cotto.

The girl started to cry and tried to get away from Cotto, the report said.

Several people said they saw the incident and signed witness statement forms.

Cotto went to the hospital for an issue with his wrist, the report said. The arresting officer noted in the report that Cotto "was showing signs of impairment." Cotto told the officer he drank about four to six cups of alcohol, the report said.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Becky Herrin said Cotto was suspended with pay pending further investigation.

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