Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Michael Caruso held without bond on child sex abuse charges

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Suspended Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Michael Caruso was ordered held without bond Wednesday during his first court appearance following his arrest on five felony charges involving the alleged sexual abuse of a child under 12.

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Caruso, 67, of Riviera Beach, appeared before a Palm Beach County judge in prison clothing, handcuffs and shackles. He did not speak during the brief hearing and allowed his attorney to address the court.

The judge ordered Caruso held without bond while he awaits transfer to Orange County, where he faces charges including kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child and child abuse involving mental injury.

The judge also ordered Caruso to have no contact with the alleged victim or the victim’s family.

Authorities have said the investigation remains ongoing.

An arrest warrant obtained by Local 10 News states that the victim, who is under the age of 12 and is known to Caruso, claimed that Caruso engaged in sexual activity with him on two separate occasions — once around Thanksgiving in 2024 and again during a family cruise in August 2025.

Caruso has denied the allegations, according to his arrest affidavit.

Authorities said Caruso was arrested Tuesday and immediately suspended from his position by Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis’ executive order bars Caruso from performing any official duties and suspends his pay and allowances.

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Shannon Ramsey-Chessman has been sworn in as clerk ad interim following Caruso’s suspension.

Caruso was appointed Palm Beach County clerk of the circuit court and comptroller by DeSantis in 2025 after serving in the Florida House of Representatives. He had been seeking reelection to the clerk’s position.

The arrest comes more than three years after Caruso backed legislation that created a capital sexual battery offense in Florida for certain sexual offenses against children. The law allows the death penalty in cases that meet its requirements.

“Obviously it was a very easy decision for me to yank him from that position,” said DeSantis on Tuesday. “I’m proud that we have very strong penalties for people that abuse children and if he is convicted he is going to be in for a world of hurt.”

Florida law allows the death penalty for an adult convicted of capital sexual battery involving a child under 12. The law applies to sexual battery, or an attempt to commit sexual battery that injures the child’s sexual organs.

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