DeSantis Says Ex-Ally Caruso, 67, Could Face Death Penalty on Child Abuse Charges
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 19
DeSantis Says Ex-Ally Caruso, 67, Could Face Death Penalty on Child Abuse Charges
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 19
Summary
Michael Caruso, 67, was suspended as Palm Beach County clerk after his Tuesday arrest, with Gov. Ron DeSantis saying he could face a "world of hurt" and possibly the death penalty if convicted.
Prosecutors accuse Caruso of abusing a young boy more than half a dozen times since 2024, including on a seven-day Royal Caribbean cruise, and charged him with kidnapping, molestation, luring a child and child abuse causing mental injury.
Florida's 2023 law lets prosecutors seek death for adults convicted of capital sexual battery of a child under 12, but it is unclear whether Caruso's current charges meet that threshold.
Mark Schlakman of Florida State University's human rights center said the law could survive constitutional review under current precedent, though he said the U.S. Supreme Court's eventual stance cannot be predicted.
Florida has carried out 13 executions this year—more than any other state—with the latest on Tuesday, underscoring DeSantis's broader push for aggressive capital punishment.