Florida Woman Arrested for Alleged Child Abuse After Boyfriend's Son Wrote a Desperate Message on a Post-it Note

Katrina Carrillo, of Miami, Florida

A Miami woman faces child abuse charges after her boyfriend's 9-year-old son wrote a desperate plea for help on a pink Post-it note, leading to her arrest. Katrina Carrillo, 25, allegedly pinned the boy down, beat him, and attempted to smother him with a pillow and blanket in a disturbing case uncovered in March.

The investigation began when the child's handwritten note—bearing the words "Pleas help us"—was found and reported to the Florida Department of Children and Families. Authorities quickly intervened, interviewing the boy, who described being restrained and struggling to breathe during the alleged attack. According to the police report, Carrillo reportedly told investigators "she disciplines her children and not her boyfriend's."

Carrillo was arrested on April 23 at Miami Police Department headquarters and charged with child abuse. Prosecutors set bail at $5,000, which she posted the same night, securing her release from Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. A judge has since ordered her to stay away from the victim and his brother, who have been removed from her care.

The boy's harrowing account detailed to forensic interviewers included feeling like he was "not breathing" during the alleged smothering attempt. While the exact location where the note was discovered remains unclear, its discovery triggered swift action from child welfare and law enforcement agencies.

Carrillo is expected to return to court for further proceedings, though an exact date has not yet been announced.