Former GOP legislator who backed death penalty for child abusers arrested on five felony charges for assaulting young family member
Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Michael Caruso, a former Republican state lawmaker who supported legislation allowing the death penalty for adults convicted of abusing children, has been arrested on five felony child abuse charges.
Ron DeSantis appointee arrested
Caruso, 67, a married father of seven appointed to his current post by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, faces charges of kidnapping, child abuse, lewd exhibition, luring or enticing a child and causing mental injury, according to an arrest affidavit.
Florida investigators allege Caruso abused a child who is a relative multiple times between the fall of 2024 and August 2025. The alleged incidents occurred during a family cruise, a fishing outing and a Thanksgiving gathering. According to the affidavit, the child has received therapeutic services since April.
“Being in a position of public trust provides no shield from accountability,” State Attorney General James Uthmeier said. “This individual will face the full force of the law.”
Ron DeSantis defends himself
DeSantis appointed Caruso clerk and comptroller in August 2025 but suspended him from office after learning of the allegations.
“It was a very easy decision for me to yank him from that position,” DeSantis said during a news conference.
Asked whether his administration knew about the allegations before appointing Caruso, DeSantis answered, “Of course not.”
“He had a clean vet, he was well-regarded in the community,” DeSantis said, describing the alleged crimes as “horrific.”
DeSantis also pointed to Florida’s decision to reinstate the death penalty for certain crimes against children, saying that if Caruso is convicted, “he is going to be in a world of hurt.”
Caruso himself backed the policy while representing District 87 in the Florida House. He voted for the 2023 Florida Capital Sexual Battery law, which allows prosecutors to seek the death penalty for adults convicted of sexually battering children under 12. DeSantis signed the legislation in May 2023.
Immediately replaced
Caruso is up for reelection in November and was running uncontested. The Florida Republican Party called on him to immediately withdraw from the race.
“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,” the clerk’s office said in an email to Newsweek.
Shannon Ramsey-Chessman was sworn in as clerk ad interim following Caruso’s arrest.
Caruso was booked into the Orange County jail and is being held without bond. The investigation remains ongoing, and Uthmeier’s office expects additional charges.