MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Mary Pratt says she is still in shock after seeing an image released on Local 10 News that showed her 30-year-old son, Christopher Castro, severely beaten while incarcerated at the Dade Correctional Institution in early April.
“It was complete horror. I was horrified. He was unrecognizable,” Pratt said. “His head was sunken in — that was not my son, what I (saw) in that picture."
Seven Florida Department of Corrections officers have since been arrested on charges ranging from battery on a detainee to perjury and evidence tampering.
Former Lt. Shentrica Clark, 40, appeared before a judge last week along with six other staff members accused in what investigators call a plot to assault Castro on April 6.
“They need to be held accountable,” Pratt said. “These are the people that are supposed to be watching over them.”
Clark has been charged with evidence tampering, along with Capt. Jochen Anglin, 32.
Officers Jordy Calero, 23, and Travon Norman, 29; Sgts. Deandre Hill, 24; Freddie Morgan, 35; and Richard Jackson face charges of battery on an inmate, failure to report use of force and perjury.
“I fear for his life. I fear for his life,” Pratt added.
According to documents obtained by Local 10 News, Castro was taken from the showers to meet with Clark regarding an incident in which he was accused of pulling a knife on another officer. Instead, he was allegedly taken to an area with no cameras, where he was kicked and punched.
“I have yet to see my son,” Pratt said. “I don’t know if he is OK.”
The Florida Department of Corrections confirmed all of the officers involved have been dismissed, saying they do not tolerate such conduct toward inmates.
Castro has since been transferred from Homestead to the Wakulla Correctional Institution in North Florida.
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