Florida parents arrested after father allegedly beat child for 28 minutes over missing couch cushion

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A Florida couple has been arrested on child abuse charges after the father allegedly subjected a minor to a prolonged and violent beating over a missing couch cushion.

Authorities say the incident, which occurred at the family’s home on Dec. 7, was partially captured on in-home surveillance cameras.

Lance Eugene Rachel, 42, was charged with aggravated child abuse and battery by strangulation, while his wife, Kimberly Corene Rachel, 35, faces charges of failing to report the abuse.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Children and Families launched the investigation after being alerted to the incident.

Details of the alleged abuse

According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Lance Rachel became enraged over a misplaced couch cushion, accusing the child of lying and unleashing what authorities described as a 28-minute tirade of physical and verbal abuse.

“The suspect maliciously punished the child by screaming obscenities and physically abusing the victim over the course of 28 minutes,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

The child, whose identity and age have not been disclosed, was allegedly struck over 50 times with a belt, choked, and subjected to threats, including one to “break the victim’s jaw.”

In addition to the physical violence, authorities reported that Lance called the child disparaging names and used other profanities during the assault.

Evidence from the family’s surveillance cameras corroborated the claims, and Lance reportedly confirmed the abuse during questioning by detectives on Dec. 16.

Arrests and charges

The parents were arrested shortly after the investigation began.

Lance was charged with aggravated child abuse and battery by strangulation, while Kimberly was charged with failure to report known child abuse, an offense under Florida law.

“Corporal punishment on your child is one thing, but child abuse and going too far is against the law,” Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez said in a video statement released alongside the department’s press release.

The footage also showed the couple being escorted in handcuffs.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office has not provided details about the child’s current whereabouts or condition but confirmed that the Florida Department of Children and Families is involved in the case.

Public reaction and legal consequences

The sheriff’s office’s Facebook post about the incident drew a strong response from the public.

Comments ranged from outrage at the alleged abuse to calls for the parents to face severe punishment.

“Lock them up, throw away the key; absolutely no excuse for that kind of abuse. I pray the child never has to live with them again,” one commenter wrote.

Another added, “Motion your hand 50 times in how you would swing a belt and tell me how you’d feel about it. That’s aggravated without a doubt.”

Online jail records confirm that both parents remain in custody at the Osceola County Corrections and Jail.

If convicted, Lance could face significant prison time for the aggravated child abuse and battery by strangulation charges.

Kimberly could also face penalties for her failure to act.

Raising awareness about child abuse

The case highlights the importance of reporting suspected child abuse.

Sheriff Lopez emphasized that while disciplinary actions are a parental right, crossing the line into abuse is both illegal and harmful.

Advocacy organizations remind the public that resources are available to report and prevent child abuse. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, reachable at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453), offers confidential support and assistance 24/7.