Overview
- An Orange County judge on Friday denied the state's request for pretrial detention and set total bond at $160,000, allowing Mike Caruso to seek release under court conditions.
- Caruso faces five felony counts including kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation and child abuse, and the arrest affidavit alleges abuse over roughly two years with incidents cited around Thanksgiving 2024 and on a 2025 family cruise.
- The judge ordered strict terms for any release: no direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim or witnesses, surrender of his passport, limited travel to attend court, and a prohibition on possessing firearms.
- FDLE Special Agent Reuben Roach testified about the child's statements and past reports, while defense lawyers highlighted timing gaps and challenged prior DCF findings; Caruso denies the allegations and has retained attorney Donna Rotunno.
- The Florida Attorney General's Office called the bond ruling unacceptable and said it will seek immediate review, and Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Caruso after his Aug. 18 arrest as the FDLE investigation remains active.