Overview
- State authorities arrested Michael Caruso on Tuesday and charged him with five felonies: kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse causing mental injury.
- A judge ordered Caruso held without bond and issued a broad no‑contact order while courts arrange his transfer to the jurisdiction where the charges originated.
- Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Caruso from the clerk’s office the same day, an interim clerk was sworn in, and FDLE was directed to prevent removal of office files and electronic media.
- The FDLE affidavit alleges the victim is a family member under age 12 and describes multiple incidents between 2024 and August 2025, including a family cruise; the child entered therapy in April 2026 and family confrontations and a recorded meeting were used in investigators’ case.
- Prosecutors say the investigation by FDLE and the Office of Statewide Prosecution is ongoing with more charges expected, and advocates and officials have raised concerns about the public release and redaction of affidavit material and about the accused’s ballot status and political vetting.