MIAMI, FL – A Miami-Dade County man has been arrested following allegations of severe child abuse against his 6-year-old stepson. Zachary Perez, 42, faces charges of aggravated child abuse after authorities claim he subjected the young boy to a brutal onslaught, including beating him and using a dog collar as a tool of abuse.

Court documents reveal that the incident occurred on the evening of May 8, 2025. It’s alleged that Perez repeatedly struck the child in the face with his fists, inflicting numerous bruises. The violence allegedly continued with Perez fastening a dog collar around the child’s neck, using the attached leash to pull the boy off his feet multiple times.

Investigators further allege that Perez kicked the stepson in the stomach and hit him with a tree branch, commonly known as a “switch.” These actions reportedly persisted over two days until law enforcement intervened.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Perez on May 10, taking him into custody without delay. During his initial court appearance, a magistrate judge denied Perez bail, and he has been held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Perez entered a not guilty plea to the charges, and a public defender has been appointed to represent him.

Perez’s situation continues to evolve, with another court appearance having been scheduled for Monday and a critical hearing regarding his pretrial detention set for later this week.

As a condition of potential release, a judicial order strictly prohibits Perez from contacting the victim. If released on bond, he must maintain a distance of at least 500 feet from the child, ensuring the boy’s safety and peace.

This appalling case has drawn attention to child welfare issues and the need for vigilant monitoring of at-risk youths in domestic settings. Community members are urged to report any signs of abuse to prevent such grievous situations.

The boy is reportedly in a safe environment now, and authorities continue to review the case to ensure justice is served.