Man Accused of Choking Stepson at Miami Springs Hotel Over Food Stamps

Miami: A 26-year-old man, Luis Carlos Almendarez-Gonzalez, was arrested Wednesday for allegedly choking his stepson inside a Miami Springs hotel room where the family had been living.

Disturbing Incident in Miami Hotel Room

Almendarez-Gonzalez, along with his wife, her son, and their other children, had been moving between various temporary accommodations. The incident unfolded when Miami Springs police were called to the hotel following a report of a disturbance. The hotel manager and an employee recounted to authorities that the young boy, visibly distressed, approached them, clutching his neck and accusing his stepfather of choking him inside their room. His neck was red, corroborating the boy’s claims. The victim later told police that his stepfather had grabbed him by the neck and strangled him briefly after he tried to retrieve food stamp cards intended for his mother.

Family Tensions and Witness Statements

The confrontation reportedly started when the boy’s mother left the hotel room to pack her belongings, intending to change hotels in an attempt to distance herself and her children from Almendarez-Gonzalez. She had forgotten the food stamp card inside the room, which led to the stepson’s attempt to retrieve it and the subsequent assault. Another child, present in the room during the incident, was initially hesitant to provide a statement due to fear of retaliation from Almendarez-Gonzalez.  However, the child ultimately confirmed witnessing the stepfather placing his hands around the boy’s neck during the argument over the food stamp cards. Despite this testimony, Almendarez-Gonzalez denied the physical assault, though he admitted to having a heated verbal altercation with his wife and becoming angry with her son for what he perceived as disrespectful behavior. He insisted that, although tensions were high, he did not strangle the child.

Arrest and Charges

Following the investigation, Almendarez-Gonzalez was arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse and battery by strangulation. His bond had not yet been set as of Thursday afternoon, and he remained held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami.

The police report did not disclose the boy’s age, and the exact address and name of the hotel where the family was staying were redacted for privacy reasons. The arrest has brought to light the ongoing domestic issues within the family, as the mother had planned to relocate to avoid further conflict with her husband. Authorities continue to investigate the case to ensure the safety of the children involved, with further legal proceedings expected as Almendarez-Gonzalez faces serious criminal charges for his actions.