Boy shot in face after abduction, sexual assault in car; Florida man arrested

MIAMI (TCD) --

A 43-year-old man was taken into custody Tuesday morning in Miami after officers alleged he kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and shot a young boy in the face over the weekend.

Miami-Dade Police said a 12-year-old boy was walking near NW 43rd Terrace and NW 30th Avenue sometime between 2 and 3 a.m. on Saturday, March 27.

A suspect drove up in a black four-door sedan and forced the boy into the car, police said. The suspect drove to the area of NW 45th Street & NW 31st Avenue and sexually assaulted the boy, shot him, then forced him out of the car.

The boy was reportedly shot in the face.

Police said the 12-year-old then walked to a local business and called 911. He was hospitalized in critical condition. His condition has been upgraded to stable and he is reportedly recovering.

"The young boy says he couldn’t see at the time. He had lost his sight and he was using his touch to find his way around trying to seek help," said Miami-Dade Police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta.

Aliex Santiesteban, 43, was arrested and charged with sexual battery with a deadly weapon/serious injury; kidnapping a child under 13; and attempted felony murder.

According to WTVJ-TV, the victim was walking home from meeting a friend when the alleged crime occurred. DNA evidence led police to identify Santiesteban as the suspect, WTVJ reports. 

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