A 29-year-old mother, Yulia Stoak, from Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, has been arrested on felony child abuse charges for allegedly throwing and kicking her three-year-old son. The disturbing incident was captured on a neighbor’s doorbell camera, sparking outrage and prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
While the graphic video footage is too disturbing to share, it reportedly shows Stoak repeatedly throwing her young son to the ground and kicking him while he was down. Another video allegedly shows her pinning the child down as he struggles to get up.
Following her arrest, Stoak is being held on a $5,000 bond, and her son is now under the care of the Department of Children and Families.
To shed light on the harrowing incident and the subsequent investigation, we spoke with Detective Sergeant Javier Estes, one of the responding detectives on the scene.
According to Detective Sergeant Estes, the incident came to light when a concerned neighbor, who had witnessed the horrific footage from their doorbell camera, immediately reported it to the police. The neighbor had allegedly heard screaming coming from Stoak’s apartment but never imagined it would be coming from a child. The neighbor’s quick thinking and decision to contact the authorities were instrumental in bringing the abuse to an end.
Upon arriving at the apartment complex, Detective Sergeant Estes and his team were able to obtain Stoak’s information from the building management, who were fully cooperative with the investigation. When confronted, Stoak, seemingly unaware of the reason for the officers’ presence, initially claimed that this was the first time such an incident had occurred.
Medical examination of the three-year-old revealed scratches, bruises, and redness on his upper torso, cheek, and forehead. While Stoak maintained that this was an isolated incident, Detective Sergeant Estes noted that some of the bruising appeared older and might indicate previous instances of abuse.
The young boy, who primarily speaks Ukrainian, was understandably skittish and withdrawn. He was placed in the care of his mother’s roommate, with whom he seemed more at ease. The roommate, also a Ukrainian immigrant, has been cooperative with the investigation and stated that she was unaware of the extent of the alleged abuse.
This case has understandably shaken the community, and Detective Sergeant Estes expressed his gratitude towards the neighbor who came forward. “The real person here that no one talks about is the neighbor,” he stated. “The neighbor could have just…never said a word…God blessed him for coming forward and showing us that and letting us do our job.”
The child is currently in the custody of the Department of Children and Families, where he is undergoing medical and psychological evaluations. The department is working diligently to find a safe and loving environment for the child.
Meanwhile, Stoak has been released on bond but is prohibited from having any contact with her son. The investigation is ongoing, and the possibility of upgrading her charges is being considered.
This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community vigilance in protecting vulnerable children. The quick thinking and bravery of a concerned neighbor, coupled with the swift response of law enforcement, likely saved this young boy from further harm.
