Ex-Florida state rep charged with kidnapping, molesting young boy – years after ex-wife accused him of child abuse
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A former Florida state lawmaker who is up for re-election as a court clerk was charged Tuesday with kidnapping and molesting a young child — allegedly even urinating in his mouth on a cruise, according to disturbing court documents.
Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller Michael Caruso — a father of seven and longtime Little League coach — was accused of repeatedly molesting the boy, who is not even 5, sources told the Miami Herald.
The shocking allegations came 13 years after his first wife accused him of child abuse, which he denied and blamed on her bitterness at the end of their 31-year marriage, the outlet said.
The current investigation stemmed from suspicious behavior while Caruso was on a seven-day Royal Caribbean cruise in August 2025, according to charging documents obtained by The Post.
The official disappeared for an hour, saying he was getting the boy ice cream — with the boy’s dad noting that his son returned in different clothes, and that Caruso’s hair was wet.
Shockingly, the boy then told his dad that Caruso made him have a shower with him — and that the elderly man “peed” in his mouth, which he said was “yucky,” the affidavit claimed.
It sparked an investigation that found the abuse began in November 2024, when Caruso took the boy to a fishing pond and “touched and tickled” his privates, according to the affidavit.
In another incident the same month, Caruso allegedly exposed his genitals to the boy, and played a game called “tickle monster” which included Caruso groping the minor’s buttocks and crotch, the documents state.
The boy’s father confronted Caruso — who attempted to blame his “evil” ex-wife for fabricating the allegations to turn the two against each other, according to the affidavit.
“If you tell anyone I will get arrested. I will just go away. You tell anyone I’m going to jail,” he allegedly told the victim’s father — while also claiming he is only attracted to women.
The boy has since been receiving therapeutic services, with specialists telling his family he “exhibits responses consistent with trauma.”
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Caruso’s first wife and mother of their seven children, Beverly Caruso, had previously accused him of sexually assaulting a child, which he denied, according to 2013 divorce proceedings reviewed by the Miami Herald. The allegations were also investigated by the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Caruso, a former Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child and child abuse.
Caruso’s was immediately suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis from serving as Palm Beach County clerk of court and comptroller — a role he is seeking re-election for in November, the Herald noted.
The suspension bars him from performing any official duties, receiving pay, or accessing any privileges of his public office, WPTV reported.
“This morning, our office was notified that Clerk Mike Caruso was arrested on serious criminal charges. We are awaiting additional information from the Governor’s office on next steps,” the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court’s office said in a statement.
“While this is surprising news for our entire team, it does not change who we are at the Clerk’s office or our commitment to the community and customers we serve.”
Caruso was elected to the Florida House in 2018 and served until last year. DeSantis then appointed him as Palm Beach County’s Clerk of Courts and Comptroller.