Former Youth Program Director Charged with Aggravated Child Abuse

BROOKSVILLE, FL – A former program director for the Brooksville Youth Academy is facing a charge of aggravated child abuse, after officials say he broke a child's arm during an incident at the facility last summer.

According to reports, on June 6, 2024, the victim was allegedly standing in the doorway of his room and refused to go back inside at the direction of a staff member. 40-year-old Juan Carlos Baez responded and began pushing the victim back into his room. At that point, a physical altercation ensued between Baez and the victim, resulting in Baez placing him in a "Chicken Wing." The witness says Baez was "doing all kinds of weird things" as the fight continued. Eventually, three additional staff members responded and slammed the victim to his bed. A witness says he overheard Baez say to the victim, "Bitch ass nigga, you want to do me like that?" That's when Baez started twisting the victim's arm and lifting him upwards until he heard a "pop." Realizing what had happened, officials say Baez walked away and began making phone calls.

X-rays of the victim's arm revealed a fracture to the distal humeral shaft with malalignment.

Baez told detectives during an interview that he may have lost his balance and fallen on the victim, which led to the broken arm.

On January 7th, detectives placed Baez into custody and charged him with one count of Aggravated Child Abuse. Baez was released the following day on a $2,500 bond.

Officials say Baez has resigned from the Brooksville Youth Academy.

There has been no response from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office regarding the incident.