Robert Marcu : “Father Chokes 10-Year-Old in Fight”

SUNNY ISLES BEACH, Fla. (WFOR) – Authorities in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, have expressed concern over a disturbing incident that took place at Gwen Margolis Park on Memorial Day. A 10-year-old boy was reportedly choked and shaken by a 60-year-old man, identified as Robert Marcu, in an act of aggravated child abuse with great bodily harm and battery by strangulation.

Video footage of the incident captured Marcu grabbing the young boy by the neck and violently shaking him, causing his head to bob back and forth. The child’s identity has been protected by blurring his face in the video.

Sgt. Melissa Porro of the Sunny Isles Beach Police expressed her concerns, stating, “The biggest concern here is that a grown man with the strength of a man went after a young child that was helpless and could not, based on size alone, defend himself.”

According to police reports, the incident occurred when the victim and another child, believed to be Marcu’s son, were playing with water guns and a scuffle ensued. Marcu allegedly intervened by violently choking and shaking the 10-year-old boy.

Witnesses reported that Marcu grabbed the victim by the neck, impeding his breathing and shaking him forcefully. He was heard saying, “I know what I did, and I did it to teach him a lesson.”

The young boy was left with visible red marks and scratches, but fortunately, he was physically unharmed. Marcu was taken into custody and appeared in court where his bond was set at £5,000. He was also ordered to stay away from the victim.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the children involved in the incident attend the same school, adding a disturbing layer to the case.