A restaurant manager is being praised for helping rescue a 11-year-old boy who police say was the victim of severe child abuse, according to KPRC 2′s sister station WKMG.
Flavaine Carvalho was working on New Year’s Day at Mrs. Potato restaurant in Orlando when she noticed a family withholding food from a child who had bruises on his face and arms, according to police.
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Trying to help, Carvalho held a sign that read, “Do you need help?”
The boy signaled “yes” in response to the sign.
Carvalho then called the Orlando Police Department to report her suspicions.
According to WKMG, the boy recounted incidents of mistreatment including food being withheld on a regular basis as a form of punishment, according to police.
Both parents were arrested on multiple counts of child neglect, WKMG reports.
The boy’s stepfather was also arrested on one count of third-degree child abuse and multiple counts of aggravated child abuse.
The Orlando Police Department said it shared the story to encourage civilians who see something to say something.
“When one woman took that advice to heart, she rescued a boy from some dangerous abuse,” Orlando Police Department said in a news release. “By saying something when she saw something, Ms. Carvalho displayed courage and care for a child she had never even met before, and we’re proud someone like Ms. Carvalho lives and works in our community.”