A Miami father found himself behind bars after police say he allegedly struck his child outside of a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in Aventura Monday.
Peter Juris was arrested Monday with one charge each of battery and child abuse, Miami-Dade jail records showed.
The 40-year-old appeared in court on Tuesday, where he was given a $6,000 bond on both charges. Juris spoke with reporters after he was released from jail.
"The kid got a little upset, he had a little issues and then I corrected him and I think it was a little too much, that was it," Juris said. "I'm out of jail right now, and things are good with the family, the family continues the same."
Juris denied punching the child in the face.
"No, he would have scars, look at this hand, it would break the nose or something," he said. "That is not true."
According to the arrest report, Juris was seen carrying his son out of the restaurant on Biscayne Boulevard when he hit the child's head with his hand. After putting his son in the back seat of his Maserati, Juris was seen hitting the child in his face and chest with a closed fist, the report said.
Juris was asked Tuesday if he lost his temper.
"Of course a little bit, yes," he said.
Witnesses kept Juris from leaving the scene until police arrived. He was placed under arrest and the child - who was treated at the scene for bruising and swelling around his eyes - was taken into protective custody, and eventually released to a family friend before he was taken to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital to be evaluated.
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"We'll make things work for the best of the kid and that's it," he said.
Juris' wife, Catalina, spoke at Tuesday's hearing, pleading her husband's case. She explained that her twins were born at 24 weeks, spent six months in the NICU, and have serious developmental problems, among other things.
"It's difficult because Oliver has very difficult behavioral problems and is difficult to calm down," Catalina Juris said.
Officials from the Florida Department of Children and Families said in a statement that an investigation has been opened into the family, which has no prior cases pending.
"I have an impeccable record, this is the first time something like this happens, I have no clue why this happens but it's for me to learn," Juris said. "We'll make things work for the best of the kid and that's it."
