Officials stated that a Florida man was convicted of child abuse after a waitress saw the situation and quickly sprung into action when she thought a young boy was being abused in his care a year ago.
Timothy Lee Wilson, 36, was found guilty of multiple child abuse charges stemming from an arrest on New Year’s Day in 2021, when his waitress, Flaviane Carvalho, suspected he may have been abusing a child in his care.
Wilson was found guilty Monday of false imprisonment of a child under the age of 13, three counts of aggravated child abuse with a weapon, four counts of aggravated child abuse, and one count of child neglect, according to the report.
WESH reported Carvalho declaring, “Justice has been served” after the verdict was announced. The victim’s actions and face show that he’s happier and loved now.
The secret note
In 2021, Carvalho, a manager at Mrs. Potato Restaurant in Orlando, Florida, was waitressing a table for Wilson and his family on New Year’s Day when she noticed the man had not ordered any food for an 11-year-old boy at the table, FOX 35 of Orlando reported.
Wilson, the stepfather, said that the boy would be eating at home. But, her conscience was not satisfied when she saw the bruises and cuts on the boy.
FOX 35’s Carvalho said she could see a big scratch on his eyebrows and a bruise on the side of his face. ”
Carvalho has two children and immediately attracted the attention of the boy. She quickly sent him a note asking if he needed help. Carvalho called the police when the boy answered.
Carvalho told WESH that she was relieved the abuser had been punished and that the boy now stands a better chance at success.
An abusive home
FOX 35 reported the police described the torture the child suffered during a press conference.
Police said that “the 11-year-old’s pain and suffering shocked her heart. ”
It was later discovered that the boy’s stepfather routinely abused and tortured him. According to the report, doctors discovered that the boy had bruises all over his body and was underweight.
Carvalho stated that “God used her as a tool to help others. ”
“The little boy was brave”. Carvalho said that “not only did he save himself, but he also saved his little sister. ”
Officials also said on more than one occasion the boy was isolated, forced to starve as punishment, was hung upside down, and spent Christmas Day handcuffed to a dolly, FOX 35 reported. He was also forced to complete rigorous exercises and if he failed he would be beaten, officials said.
Life-saving Action
Carvalho was also credited with saving the lives of the boy by testifying at the abuse trial.
According to WESH, Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon said that they would have discussed a possible murder investigation had she not intervened when she did at the restaurant.
Kristen Swann (the mother) was also accused of child neglect. She claimed she was aware of the abuse but didn’t intervene.
Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Monique H. Worrell announced the jury’s verdict and Wilson’s sentencing date was set for Aug.19, 2022.
Carvalho still keeps in touch with the boy more than a year after they met.
