Overview
- Caruso was arrested Tuesday on five felony counts — kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse causing mental injury — and is being held without bond.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis immediately suspended Caruso from the Palm Beach clerk’s office and an interim clerk was sworn in while FDLE staff were ordered to secure office records.
- The charges grew from an FDLE affidavit that says a male relative under 12 reported repeated incidents from late 2024 through an August 2025 family cruise and has been in therapy since April 2026.
- Special Counsel Rita Peters and Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Lauryn Day are prosecuting the case and officials say the FDLE investigation remains active with possible additional charges.
- Victim advocates and the child’s attorney say state releases left identifying details exposed in public filings, raising legal and privacy concerns that could affect court procedure and community trust.