Palm Beach Clerk Michael Caruso Arrested on Child Sex Abuse Charges

Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Michael Caruso was arrested on Tuesday on five felony child sex abuse charges. Caruso, a former Republican state legislator, had previously supported the death penalty for adults convicted of sexually battering children under 12.

The 67-year-old father of seven was appointed by Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. He faces charges including kidnapping, child molestation, lewd exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse causing mental injury, as stated in an arrest affidavit. Investigators allege the abuse involved a child relative and happened multiple times from fall 2024 to August 2025, during events such as a family cruise and Thanksgiving gathering. The child has been receiving therapeutic care since April 2026.

“Being in a position of public trust provides no shield from accountability,” said State Attorney General James Uthmeier. “This individual will face the full force of the law.”

Following his arrest, DeSantis, who had appointed Caruso in August 2025, immediately suspended him from office. Newsweek reached out to both the Palm Beach County Clerk’s Office and the governor’s office for comments.

Caruso’s Legislative Support

While serving in the Florida House, Caruso supported the 2023 Florida Capital Sexual Battery law, allowing prosecutors to seek the death penalty for offenders of child sexual abuse. Caruso was documented as voting “Yea” in the April 2023 House vote, and DeSantis later signed the bill in May 2023, with it becoming effective six months later.

As Caruso runs uncontested for re-election in November, the Florida GOP has called for his withdrawal from the race. In response to the arrest, the Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office expressed shock and is seeking further guidance from the governor’s office. Shannon Ramsey-Chessman has been sworn in as clerk ad interim.

Caruso is currently held without bond in Orange County jail. The investigation is ongoing, and state officials anticipate additional charges.