When was this published?

This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by WSVN 7 News and curated for The Miami readers.

Who reported this story?

This story was reported by Allyson Castillo at WSVN 7 News.

Where can I find related coverage?

See more safety coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs.

safety

Miami-Dade occupational therapist arrested on child abuse charge after 5-year-old injured during therapy session

Summary by The Miami Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Allyson Castillo, WSVN 7 News · July 22, 2026 · 1 min read

A Miami-Dade occupational therapist was arrested after police said he abused a 5-year-old boy during treatment, leaving the child with injuries that required hospital care. According to an arrest report, the incident happened on July 16 while the boy was attending his daily therapy session. Investig

Why this matters in The Miami

The arrest of a Miami-Dade occupational therapist on a child abuse charge raises concerns about the safety and well-being of children in therapy settings throughout the county. This incident may prompt parents of children with special needs to scrutinize the qualifications and practices of therapists working with their kids. Miami-Dade County Public Schools, which provides support services for students with disabilities, may also face questions about its vetting and oversight procedures for contractors and employees working in therapy roles. The fact that the alleged abuse occurred during a daily therapy session, a setting where children are supposed to feel safe and supported, is particularly troubling. As the case against Leonardo Daniel Rivas moves forward, the community will be watching to see how authorities and healthcare providers respond to ensure that children receiving therapy are protected from harm.

About this story

Original reporting by WSVN 7 News. The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit WSVN 7 News. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: safety · Published: July 22, 2026 · Source: WSVN 7 News · Reading time: 1 min

Summary created by	The Miami Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Allyson Castillo, WSVN 7 News
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 22, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Miami-Dade occupational therapist arrested on child abuse charge after 5-year-old injured during therapy session

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