Pensacola Man Arrested for Child Abuse After Allegedly Tying Girls to Chairs and Beating Them

Pensacola, FL. — A disturbing case of child abuse has emerged from Pensacola, where a 67-year-old man faces serious charges for allegedly tying two girls to chairs and physically assaulting them after they were suspended from school. Ray Benjamin was taken into custody on April 16, facing multiple counts of aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment.

According to the arrest report, the incident occurred the same day the girls, whose ages have not been disclosed, received school suspensions. Following their suspension, the school contacted Benjamin, instructing him to pick the girls up and bring them home.

Once at his residence, Benjamin reportedly restrained the girls with plastic wrap to prevent them from leaving. He then allegedly began striking them on their legs and feet using a switch—a thin, flexible branch. When the switch broke, he escalated his punishment by using a leather belt.

The grave situation reached a turning point when one of the girls managed to break free from her restraints and ran from the house. Benjamin chased after her, which prompted the other girl to also escape. United in their plight, the two girls fled to a nearby business on East 9 Mile Road, desperately seeking help.

Employees at the business noticed the distress of the young girls and immediately contacted local law enforcement. Deputies responded to the scene and learned from the girls about the abusive ordeal they had just endured. Both girls were subsequently taken to a local hospital, exhibiting injuries that included welts and scratches on their legs and feet.

Law enforcement officials tracked down Benjamin shortly after, and he reportedly confessed to the allegations, justifying his actions as a form of punishment for the girls’ misbehavior at school.

Benjamin was booked into the Escambia County Jail and was released the following day on a $100,000 bond. The case has raised concerns within the community regarding child safety and the extreme measures some guardians may take in discipline scenarios. As the legal process unfolds, the community watches closely, highlighting the importance of safeguarding children from abuse and ensuring their well-being.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident, emphasizing their commitment to protecting vulnerable youth and addressing reports of abuse swiftly and effectively. Anyone with additional information regarding this case or similar incidents is encouraged to contact local authorities.

Ray Benjamin