A Florida couple from Kissimmee has been arrested and charged after allegedly abusing a 12-year-old boy in a disturbing incident. Lance Eugene Rachel, 40, and his wife Kimberly Corene Rachel, 35, face serious charges following an investigation into the abuse that occurred on December 7, 2024.
Lance Rachel has been charged with aggravated child abuse and battery by strangulation after allegedly beating the child for nearly 30 minutes, all over an accusation that the boy had lied about a misplaced couch cushion. According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Lance struck the 12-year-old more than 50 times with a belt and is also accused of choking him and threatening to break his jaw. The abuse, which was reportedly captured on in-home surveillance cameras, included screams and physical violence, with the child suffering visible injuries.
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Kimberly Rachel, Lance’s wife, has been charged with failure to report child abuse. She reportedly witnessed the abuse on the surveillance video and admitted to detectives that she stopped counting the number of times the child was struck after 15. The boy, whose arm was injured during the beating, told authorities that he was hit repeatedly but didn’t keep track of how many times.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), launched an investigation after family members alerted authorities on December 11, 2024. During interviews, Kimberly confirmed the incident, and Lance reportedly admitted to the abuse during questioning. The boy also told detectives that his younger siblings, aged 2 and 3, had also been subjected to physical punishment.
Following their arrests, the couple was booked into the Osceola County Jail. Lance Rachel is being held without bond, while Kimberly Rachel has been granted a bond set at $5,000. The investigation continues as authorities work to ensure the safety of the children involved.
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