Antonio Caban, a 36-year-old Hispanic man, has been convicted of multiple felonies, including kidnapping and assault against his wife and four minor children, in a case that has been labeled by authorities as a “violent crime spree.”
The announcement was made by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office on May 20, 2025. The sentencing hearing will be held on July 7, and Caban could face life imprisonment.
The beginning of the horror: January 2023 in LaBelle
According to the official investigation, the events began on January 3, 2023 in the town of LaBelle, located in Hendry County.
Caban, after locating his wife and children – who had fled his side because of a history of abuse – forcibly took control of the family vehicle.
In the middle of the journey, the Hispanic man bit his wife’s face and made threats against the children. The family had fled Puerto Rico in search of safety after years of physical and emotional abuse.
A multi-county Hispanic horror tour through several counties
For several hours, Caban drove his family through different counties in southwest Florida, aimlessly and under an atmosphere of constant terror.
Authorities reported that the defendant hit his wife with a tire iron, which caused her considerable injuries.
In an attempt to avoid being traced, he hid his wife’s phone in a citrus grove.
But the most alarming fact was that, according to witnesses, he confessed to his wife that he planned to buy a shovel to kill them all and bury them.
The cunning that saved a life
The victim managed to convince Caban to take her to a women’s shelter under the pretext of needing help.
Once at the center, he alerted the staff, who immediately contacted the authorities.
Thanks to the quick intervention of sheriff’s deputies, the family was rescued and Caban was arrested at the scene.
Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk issued a statement following the conviction:
“This case is a stark reminder of the dangers that victims of domestic violence can face. I commend the victim for her bravery and quick reaction in the face of great danger,” he began.
También quiero agradecer a nuestros agentes y a las agencias colaboradoras por su respuesta rápida y coordinada que puso a salvo a esta familia y ayudó a llevar a un delincuente violento ante la justicia
Lessons for Latinos
Buzzy
Este trágico episodio resalta la importancia de denunciar los abusos y de contar con redes de apoyo seguras, especialmente para mujeres inmigrantes que pueden enfrentar barreras lingüísticas o miedo a represalias legales.
Existen líneas de ayuda en español y refugios disponibles en todo Estados Unidos para víctimas de violencia doméstica, sin importar su estatus migratorio.
Caban, quien ya tenía antecedentes de comportamiento violento según documentos judiciales previos, permanecerá bajo custodia hasta la audiencia de sentencia.
Su caso se ha convertido en un símbolo de la urgencia de fortalecer los recursos de protección para víctimas de violencia familiar en comunidades latinas.
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