Doral, Florida — A 53-year-old father is facing a felony child abuse charge after police say he kicked his 11-year-old daughter, pushed her head into the floor multiple times and threatened to throw her from a balcony during a dispute over an iPad.
Husain Maki Habib was arrested and charged with one count of felony child abuse without great bodily harm, according to court records. The allegations stem from an incident at the family’s home after the girl continued using her iPad after being told it was time for bed.
Habib and the girl’s mother are divorced and live separately while sharing custody of their two daughters, who are 11 and 14 years old.
Girl Reportedly Told Mother About Incident at School
According to a probable cause affidavit, the case came to police attention on Sept. 17, when the 11-year-old called her mother from school shortly after 9 a.m.
The girl reportedly told her mother about an incident involving her father at their residence the previous night. The mother then contacted the City of Doral Police Department and reported what her daughter had told her.
Police said the incident began after Habib instructed his daughter to turn off her iPad and prepare for bed. When the girl allegedly did not comply quickly enough, Habib reportedly took the tablet and smashed its screen with a hammer.
The affidavit alleges that Habib then made a threatening statement toward his daughter.
“The defendant stated that if she did not listen, he would smash her head and throw her off the balcony,” the affidavit says.
Police Allege Girl Was Kicked and Pushed to the Floor
The girl then reportedly went to the bedroom she shared with her older sister. Police allege that Habib followed her into the bedroom and pushed her to the floor.
“The defendant entered the bedroom and allegedly pushed the victim to the floor,” police wrote. “The victim reported the defendant kicked her multiple times while she was on the floor and pushed her head into the ground.”
The 11-year-old told investigators that her father primarily kicked her around her lower back and legs. She also reportedly told police that Habib pushed her head into the floor approximately eight times.
The girl’s older sister provided investigators with an account of the incident as well.
Older Sister Describes What Happened
According to police, the older daughter said Habib became upset because her younger sister “continued to play on her iPad” after being told to stop and get ready for bed.
A verbal argument reportedly followed. The older sister told police that Habib broke the iPad with a hammer before taking the younger girl toward the bedroom.
According to her account, Habib walked the child into the room and “pushed her toward the bed.”
Police wrote:
“The victim fell to the ground,” police wrote. “The defendant then struck the victim with an open hand on her arm and kicked her approximately three times near the lower back or shin area.”
The accounts provided by the two sisters became part of the police investigation into the alleged incident.
Girl Treated for Minor Injuries
Following the incident, the 11-year-old was taken to a nearby HCA Emergency facility for medical treatment. Doctors reportedly found minor contusions in the areas where the girl said she had been struck.
The medical evaluation was conducted after the child told her mother what had allegedly happened at the residence. Police subsequently investigated the allegations and took Habib into custody.
Father Declined to Speak With Police
After his arrest, Habib declined to provide a statement without an attorney present, according to the affidavit. He was subsequently transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center for booking.
Court records show that Habib was later released from detention after posting a $2,500 bond. It was not immediately clear when he was scheduled to make his next court appearance.
The allegations remain accusations, and the criminal charge will be addressed through the court process.
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