A Florida father is facing a serious child abuse charge after police say he choked and beat his teenage son with an extension cord when the boy said he was hungry.
Alex Romero-Padilla, 31, has been charged with aggravated child abuse following the alleged attack at a home in Hialeah.
According to a probable cause affidavit, officers responded Sunday to a residence on the 100 block of West 6th Street after receiving a report of an assault.
The 13-year-old boy told police he woke up around 9 a.m. and started watching TikTok videos on his phone.
He later told his father that he was hungry and wanted something to eat.
That is when the situation allegedly turned violent.
Police say Romero-Padilla began yelling at his son, grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the ground.
He then allegedly struck the boy repeatedly with a brown extension cord.
The teenager was taken to a hospital, where doctors found bruising around his neck and arms, along with lash marks on his back, right arm and thigh, according to the affidavit.
After being read his Miranda rights, Romero-Padilla allegedly told investigators that he did not have “good communication” with his son and had become frustrated because the boy did not follow household rules.
Police said the father also complained that his son had gone out with friends without permission and accused him of taking about $20 from his wallet.
Romero-Padilla allegedly said he became especially upset when the boy got angry and “smirked” while he was trying to “correct his behavior.”
He admitted using what he described as “corporal punishment” and whipping his son with the extension cord, according to police.
Romero-Padilla was arrested and booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail.
He remains in custody under an immigration hold.
His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 14.
Alex Jose’ Cesar Romero-Padilla Carlos Rodriguez Gomez…..
Some more of that diversity making America stronger!!!
The kid probably needed it.