DeSantis Appointee Arrested for Alleged Child Sexual Abuse

Saul Martinez / Getty Images A Republican appointee of Florida Gov.

Ron DeSantis was arrested Tuesday on charges of child sexual abuse, the state’s attorney general announced .

Michael Caruso, a former state legislator whom DeSantis appointed as the Palm Beach County clerk of courts a year ago, has been charged with kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse causing mental injury, according to West Palm Beach station WPTV .

Caruso, a 67-year-old father of seven, was immediately suspended by DeSantis.

The former member of the Florida House of Representatives is being held without bail in Orange County Jail.

According to an Orange County Sheriff’s Office report obtained by the Miami Herald , Caruso allegedly sexually molested the child—a relative—multiple times since fall 2024.

Sources told the paper that the victim was under five years old at the time.

The graphic arrest affidavit alleges that Caruso exposed himself to the child while playing soccer, and then touched the child’s genitals while they were alone.

Later that day, Caruso allegedly played “tickle monster” with the child, touching his genitals again.

In a second alleged assault on a cruise ship, Caruso separated the child from his parents “under the stated pretext of taking the child to obtain ice cream,” according to the affidavit.

But instead, he showered with him and put his own genitals in the child’s mouth.

The affidavit says the child’s uncle observed that Caruso returned wearing different clothing after being gone “a long time.” The affidavit also mentions a third incident in which Caruso allegedly touched the child’s genitals while on a fishing trip in Orange County.

The affidavit states that the child’s behavior at home raised concerns for his parents, who contacted police.

When the child’s father confronted Caruso, he denied doing anything wrong, but also said to keep the allegations private.