The Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office has identified hundreds of applications for disabled parking permits that are now under investigation to determine whether they were obtained fraudulently, the office announced Monday in a statement.

This effort is part of a massive audit of all permanent and temporary permits issued over the past 12 months, which began in December 2025. Authorities had previously announced that the audit would apply to permits issued over the past 24 months.

According to officials, the initial review covered a total of 2,340 applications. Of these, 682 require “an immediate and thorough investigation, with possible revocation.” 

“Every application receives two full and independent reviews.”

“The second review is now underway. Any application suspected of fraud will be referred to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.”

Additionally, Fernández noted that “as part of this process, letters are currently being sent to individuals whose disabled parking permits were improperly issued or obtained fraudulently. These letters clearly state that the permits have been canceled and must be returned immediately.

Under Florida law, providing false information to obtain one of these permits is a first-degree misdemeanor. Penalties include fines of $1,000 and up to one year in jail, and offenders may also be disqualified from obtaining a permit for four years. Even using another person’s permit can result in a $500 fine.

“Disabled parking permits are a lifeline. Every fraudulent permit represents a space stolen from a senior citizen, a veteran, or a resident with serious mobility challenges,” Fernández’s statement continued. “We will continue enforcing a zero-tolerance approach to protect those who depend on this program.”

In Miami-Dade, permits require medical certification, Florida identification, and proof of insurance. Permanent permits are free and valid for four years, while temporary permits cost $15 and are valid for up to six months.

One person was killed and another was critically injured in a shooting in North Miami Beach early Sunday, authorities said.

The shooting happened near the 1300 block of Northeast 157th Street.

Police confirmed one person was killed at the scene and the other person was hospitalized in critical condition, but gave few other details, including their identities.

The shooting was believed to be an isolated incident and there was no threat to the public, police said.

The shooting remained under investigation.

Check back with NBC6 for updates.

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Cynthia Hernandez, a North Miami Beach mother, was released from jail Saturday night after posting an $11,500 bond as her 6-year-old autistic son continues to recover from life-threatening injuries.

Hernandez covered her face as she left jail, declining to speak with Local 10 News.

Authorities said her son, Mason, was brutally beaten last week by Hernandez’s boyfriend, 34-year-old Daniel Eduardo Romero.

They said Mason suffered bleeding and swelling in his brain, liver, kidney, as well as spleen lacerations and a broken shoulder. He was unconscious for roughly 30 minutes and was placed in a medically induced coma, but his family said he opened his eyes yesterday, bringing hope to the community.

Police allege Romero, who is not Mason’s biological father, instructed Hernandez, 33, to tell authorities that Mason fell off a bike. Mason went into cardiac arrest and had no pulse when first responders arrived.

Jail records show Hernandez faces charges of child neglect, failing to report child abuse, and providing false information to law enforcement.

Her attorney, Nicolas Torres, disputed the main charges, saying Hernandez acted appropriately once she learned her ex-partner had harmed the child.

“Whenever Ms. Hernandez became aware that it had been her ex-partner who had committed the abuse on the kid, they immediately took the child to the medical center,“ said Torres. ”I believe that would fulfill any requirement of reporting she would have had as it relates to the abuse the child sustained at the hands of the partner.”

A Miami-Dade bond court judge on Saturday ultimately found enough probable cause to move the case forward. More of Hernandez’s attorneys say she is also a victim of Romero and remain confident she will be vindicated.

Records show Romero was arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse, child neglect causing great bodily harm and providing false information to police during an investigation.

Elizabeth Garcia, Mason’s maternal grandmother, who has temporary custody of Hernandez’s other children, shared videos of him opening his eyes and a GoFundMe page has been created to help the family with mounting medical expenses.

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.