A Monroe County Sheriff's detention deputy was arrested for child abuse in Homestead Monday, officials said.
Juan Cotto, 47, was arrested by Homestead Police for child abuse with no great bodily harm, Monroe Sheriff's Office officials said.
Cotto was released from jail Tuesday after posting $5,000 bond. At his bond court appearance, he was denied a public defender and told to hire a private attorney.
According to an arrest report, a witness said she saw Cotto grab a 3-year-old child's wrist at Homestead Hospital. Cotto was seen pulling the child's arm back and forth, twisting her wrist and restraining her, the report said.
The child complained and started crying and tried to get away from him, the report said. The incident was captured on the hospital's video surveillance, the report said.
According to the report, Cotto had gone to the hospital for an issue with his wrist. The arresting officer also noticed that Cotto was showing signs of impairment, and Cotto said he'd had four to six cups of alcohol, the report said.
He was arrested and the child's mother responded to the hospital and took custody.
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The sheriff's office hired Cotto in April 2012 and he is currently assigned to a post at the Marathon jail facility. His employment status is under review, officials said.
