🏠 News From Your Neighborhood
Miami, FL
Video shows arrest of ex-North Miami school worker accused of showing explicit photo to student
NORTH MIAMI, Fla. — New video obtained exclusively by Local 10 News on Thursday shows the arrest of a former maintenance worker who also worked as a security guard at Mater Academy in North Miami who authorities say is accused of showing an explicit photo to a 15-year-old student.
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North Miami police say 61-year-old Adolfo Eusebio Cotarelo is seen in cafeteria surveillance video holding up his phone as he spoke to the victim on Oct. 10 in the charter school’s cafeteria.
Investigators said he allegedly showed her a photo of himself in bed next to a woman wearing only a bra and made sexually explicit comments.
“Look at his face — disgusting, disgusting individual,” a parent said after seeing the video.
According to North Miami police, Cotarelo was arrested five days later at the school.
Additional body camera video shows him being led into a room at the North Miami Police Department before officers place him in handcuffs. He had the word “maintenance” printed across his shirt.
Authorities say Cotarelo asked the girl inappropriate questions, including how she would “please herself,” and told her she could use a secluded area of the school’s third floor to be alone with a boy she liked.
“He really is disgusting. I wish these things wouldn’t happen, but what can you do?” another parent stated.
Police said Cotarelo’s statements during questioning “changed constantly,” though he admitted to several details the victim described.
Surveillance video confirmed that he approached the student in the cafeteria and appeared to show her something on his cellphone.
Investigators fear there may be additional victims.
In a statement, Mater Academy Biscayne North Miami High School said:
“Upon learning of inappropriate comments made by a staff member to a student, we immediately conducted an investigation with law enforcement. The individual has been removed from their position and will not return. Student safety remains our top priority.”
“I’m just glad they caught him and he’s off the streets,” another parent told Local 10’s Rosh Lowe.
Jail records show Cotarelo, of Hialeah, faces a charge of child abuse without great bodily harm. He was initially booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and released on a $5,000 bond.
Police continue to investigate and urge anyone with information about additional incidents to contact the NMPD at 305- 891-0294.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A 12-year-old girl was shot in the arm after gunfire erupted in a northwest Miami-Dade neighborhood early Tuesday morning, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said they responded just before 1 a.m. to the area of Northwest 64th Street and Northwest 21st Avenue in the county’s Gladeview area, where they found three vehicles struck by gunfire, including a silver Hyundai.
“The car was parked outside of the residence. It was occupied by three juveniles, so it was the girl and her two siblings that were in the vehicle. The mom was outside of the vehicle at the time, so this could have been a very different outcome,” MDSO Detective Samantha Choon said.
Authorities said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue medics transported the girl to a nearby hospital in stable condition.
A family member of the victim told Local 10’s Jackie Pascale that the girl is now home and doing OK.
They said neither her siblings nor their mother was injured in the shooting.
According to investigators, no arrests have been made, and detectives have not released any suspect information at this time.
Neighbor Marie Grimes said she was shaken after hearing multiple gunshots.
“I heard the booms — boom, boom, boom, boom — and I said, ‘Oh my God, what’s happening?’” she said. “Maybe five or six, ’cause look at that right there. I’m just glad the little girl is OK.”
Investigators asked neighbors to check their surveillance or Ring camera footage from around 1 a.m. and contact authorities with any information.
Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477. Anonymous tips are accepted.
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Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
Three people were hurt after a building caught fire on Lincoln Road on Sunday, according to authorities.
The Miami Beach Fire Department said it was working a fire near 230 Lincoln Road.
The flames had spread from a fire in a manhole that “ignited an FPL vault of an adjacent building,” officials said.
Three people were taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center with minor injuries.
The building was evacuated, and FPL has shut off power to the surrounding area, the fire department said.
Drivers were asked to avoid the area of Collins Avenue between 16th and 17th streets while crews worked the scene.
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