The top stories on CBS4.com
Nov 12, 2009 11:46 pm US/Eastern
Dad Accused Of Beating Alleged Molester Gets Bond
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
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Manuel Vega
Broward Sheriff's Office/CBS
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Krish Carter
Broward Sheriff's Office
A Davie father accused of beating his son's alleged abuser nearly to death saw the charges against him reduced to aggravated battery and had a bond set for him during a hearing on Thursday. However, Manuel Vega was still in jail as of late Thursday night.
"His son is gonna be so happy. He keeps saying, 'when will daddy be home?'" said a beaming Danielle Curzio outside of court.
Broward Circuit Judge Paul Backman set a $5000 bond for 27-year-old Vega on a charge of aggravated battery. Vega was initially charged with attempting to kill 38-year-old Luke Petruschke.
Vega and his neighbor Krish Carter allegedly kicked, punched and beat 43-year-old Luke Petruschke with rocks and concrete blocks after Vega's son accused Petruschke of molesting him.
Curzio says the family met Petruschke a few months ago and began to hang out together and go fishing. "He was a friend, now we know you can't trust anybody," she told
CBS4 news Reporter Joan Murray.
"In my opinion any other parent would have done the same thing. You have to put yourself in other people's shoes," said Curzio. Curzio said her son is getting counseling and believes he will recover.
Davie police say the incident all began when Vega, who was friends with Petruschke, allowed him to stay overnight in his home in the 5100 block of Davie Road.
In the morning, after the boy made his allegation, Vega and Carter beat Petruschke almost to death, said police. They allegedly smashed his car windows with concrete blocks, dragged him out of the car and beat him, police said.
Petruschke was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood where he was placed in a medically induced coma. He has since recovered.
Petruschke remains in jail and is facing lewd and lascivious molestation charges. Court records show he had been arrested twice before on sex-related charges, but never convicted.
Carter was also charged with aggravated battery and remains in the Broward County Jail.
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