Yoanny Herrera Nieblas (Miami-Dade Corrections via WPLG).
A Florida father allegedly beat his 5-year-old daughter with a plastic bathroom squeegee because she was misbehaving in school, including giving her teacher the middle finger.
Yoanny Herrera Nieblas, 44, is facing a charge of child abuse with no bodily harm.
A probable cause arrest affidavit said the girl was taking a shower on Sept. 8 when Herrera Nieblas entered the bathroom and confronted her about her "poor behavior in school."
Herrera Nieblas then hit the girl multiple times on the backside with the squeegee, causing bruising that was visible for at least three days, according to cops.
After receiving his Miranda rights, the defendant allegedly said the girl had "ongoing behavioral" issues at school.
"Most recently, he was notified by the school that the victim stuck her middle finger up to the teacher," cops wrote.
The girl admitted to the act when her father asked about it, the affidavit said. He allegedly "escalated the discipline to spanking her" with the squeegee because his verbal discipline was not getting through to her.
Florida's child abuse statute addresses when corporal punishment becomes child abuse.
"Corporal discipline of a child by a parent or legal custodian for disciplinary purposes does not in itself constitute abuse when it does not result in harm to the child," the statute states.
In this case, the father inflicted harm when he allegedly caused bruising on the child.
Herrera Nieblas was arrested and taken to the Miami-Dade County Jail, where he has since posted a $2,500 bond.
"The defendant knowingly and willfully abused the child by intentionally inflicting physical injury upon the child without causing great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement," the affidavit stated.
He pleaded not guilty. His next court date was not immediately listed.
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