Mike Caruso to be freed from Orange jail Friday, judge rules

Key Points:

• An Orange County circuit judge ordered the release of former state Rep. Mike Caruso from jail, citing flaws in the investigation of child sexual abuse allegations against him and setting a $160,000 bond.
• Prosecutors accused Caruso of kidnapping and molesting a 4-year-old child in two incidents between 2024 and 2025, including on a cruise ship, but the judge expressed concern over the reliability of evidence and possible coaching of the child by parents.
• The judge criticized the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s handling of the case, including excessive child interviews and lack of cruise ship evidence, stating there was no substantial probability Caruso committed the offenses at this stage.
• Caruso, suspended from his official duties, was ordered not to contact the victim’s family or return to Orange County except for court appearances, with additional conditions including surrendering his passport and firearms.
• Defense attorneys highlighted previous unfounded abuse claims against Caruso, arguing the allegations stemmed from a contentious divorce and emphasizing the presumption of innocence amid serious accusations.