Introduction to the Case
Video obtained exclusively by NBC South Florida shows the moments when prosecutors say a father and an Iraq Marine Corps veteran abused and tortured his 6-year-old stepson in Miami.
In one video, 42-year-old Zachary Perez can be seen in a home surveillance video wearing black, and holding a pink dog leash that police say is wrapped around the neck of the minor.
Details of the Abuse
According to court records, another video shot outside the home shows the child running with a heavy backpack filled with rocks.
Multiple videos also capture when Perez allegedly kicked the little boy in the living room and inside a bedroom.
Records show the minor was left with swollen eyes from being hit, marks from a tree branch he was also wiped with, multiple scratches across the body, and a rash on the neck from where the dog collar was.
Perez would continue to do this to the child for two days, a report said.
History of Abuse and Legal Consequences
Since the arrest, prosecutors on the case mentioned multiple victims have called their office to report similar abuse by the defendant in his prior relationships.
According to state attorneys, there are about five injunctions sought against Perez, ranging from domestic to repeated violence, including his own 14-year-old daughter.
He’s a "ticking time bomb," Lily Wisset, an Assistant State Attorney, said during a hearing earlier this year.
Perez’s attorneys also mentioned in May that the mother of the victim asked for help in taking care of his child and was OK with him disciplining the child; however, state attorneys disagreed, claiming the evidence didn’t show that.
Background of the Defendant
Barbara Perez, the defendant’s mother, claims her son had PTSD, hearing problems, and had surgeries after he served overseas three times.
"The child probably has emotional, psychological, perhaps even physical trauma and injuries that he would have suffered from this horrific abuse," Amanda Altman, Ceo of Kristi House, a children’s advocacy center, told NBC6.
Altman also said it could be difficult to understand why Perez allegedly acted the way he did.
"I would be looking at the perpetrator’s own past, what happened to him," she said. "What trauma would he had suffered that he never got the proper intervention to overcome? Certainly possible those things affected his decisions later in life."
Current Status and Support
According to records, Perez has since been placed on some form of house arrest and was allowed to get mental health help.
Perez, who is awaiting trial, pleaded not guilty and was ordered to stay away from the stepson and his mother.
If you suspect child abuse, you can connect with the Kristi House here.
Conclusion
The case of Zachary Perez highlights the severe consequences of child abuse and the importance of addressing past traumas to prevent future instances of abuse. It also underscores the need for support systems for both the victims and the perpetrators to ensure that such horrific incidents are minimized.
FAQs
- Q: What was the nature of the abuse inflicted on the 6-year-old stepson?
A: The stepson was tortured with a dog collar around his neck and forced to run with a backpack full of rocks, among other forms of physical abuse. - Q: What is the current status of Zachary Perez?
A: Perez is awaiting trial, has been placed on house arrest, and is receiving mental health help. - Q: How can one report suspected child abuse?
A: Suspected child abuse can be reported by connecting with organizations like the Kristi House or local law enforcement and child protective services.
