NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – A Correction Deputy with the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office was arrested Tuesday and accused of child abuse, the agency announced.
Mason Moore was charged with child abuse without great bodily harm, a third-degree felony involving a 4-year-old nonverbal autistic child, according to the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office.
Recommended Videos
Authorities say the investigation began on Jan. 8 after a detective was called to Wolfson Children’s Hospital regarding suspected child abuse.
The Director of the Child Protection Team reported significant bruising on the child that was inconsistent with Moore’s explanation of how the injuries occurred.
“The evidence in this case clearly showed that a serious crime was committed against a defenseless child,” said Sheriff Bill Leeper.
Moore, who had been employed with the sheriff’s office for one year, has been terminated from his position.
“As law enforcement officers, we’re held to the highest standards of conduct, and we take any allegations of abuse extremely seriously, especially when they involve our most vulnerable citizens,” said Leeper.
