In a disturbing incident on Memorial Day, a 10-year-old boy was allegedly choked and shaken by a 60-year-old man, Robert Marcu, at Gwen Margolis Park in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida. Cellphone footage capturing the incident has raised serious concerns among law enforcement and the community.
The footage reportedly shows Marcu grabbing and shaking the young boy, causing his head to move violently. The victim’s face has been obscured in the video to protect his identity. Sunny Isles Beach Police Sgt. Melissa Porro expressed deep concern over the incident, emphasizing the troubling nature of an adult using such force against a defenseless child.
The altercation began when the 10-year-old victim and another child, possibly Marcu’s son, were playing with water pistols and got into a quarrel. Marcu intervened in the dispute aggressively, according to police reports. Sgt. Porro described the scene, stating that Marcu approached the child, choked him severely, and caused significant distress, reducing the boy to uncontrollable tears.
The arrest report details Marcu’s actions, noting that he grabbed the victim’s neck, squeezed his airway, and shook him. Marcu reportedly admitted to the act, saying, “I know what I did, and I did it to teach him a lesson.” The boy sustained scrapes and red marks on his neck, though he is physically recovering.
Marcu appeared in court on Tuesday, where the judge set his bail at $5,000 and ordered him to stay away from the victim. The court also revealed that the children involved attend the same school, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
This incident has sparked outrage and concern within the community, highlighting the need for adult restraint and proper conflict resolution, especially when dealing with children. As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of the young victim.