Larry Rada Jr. picked up three young children from school on a September afternoon in Florida, planning to spend a few days with them. By evening, he would allegedly hurl those same children over a six-foot fence as he fled from law enforcement — an act that left the youngsters crying, vomiting, and covered in dirt before they were taken to a hospital.
Background
Rada, then 26 years old, had picked up the children on September 12, 2025. One of their mothers told investigators she last spoke with him around 6:30 p.m. that Saturday when he assured her the kids "were doing well." The next day, everything changed.
A Lee County Sheriff's Office deputy was patrolling near Fort Myers Beach on September 13, 2025, when he spotted a black Infiniti with Michigan plates driving recklessly, according to a probable cause statement reviewed by Law&Crime. When the deputy attempted a traffic stop, the sedan did "a complete 360 around his patrol vehicle" and sped away.
The deputy did not pursue further. Minutes later, several drivers flagged him down — Rada's vehicle had crashed into a ditch at the intersection of San Carlos Boulevard and Linda Loma Drive. By the time authorities arrived, Rada had fled on foot with all three children in tow.
"Throughout the interview, Rada maintained that he knew what he did was wrong but was scared to return to prison," according to court documents.
The Investigation
Surveillance footage captured the horrifying sequence: Rada cutting across his backyard with the three victims, approaching a locked gate, and "proceeding to toss all three victims over the fence," which measured 5.92 feet high. The children "appeared to be in distress and crying" as they were hurled over the barrier.
"They were hurl[ed] over... in a manner with blatant disregard for the children's safety," authorities wrote. One child began vomiting profusely afterward, and all three complained of pain throughout their bodies.
Rada jumped the fence himself but fell and disappeared into the backyard. He was later arrested at his home. The children were transported to a hospital where a doctor documented that all three victims presented with head and abdominal pain following the traffic crash involving Rada.
The Charges
Originally charged last September with three counts of cruelty toward a child, three counts of child neglect, hit-and-run, and additional offenses, Rada ultimately pleaded nolo contendere — no contest — to charges of child abuse, racing on a roadway, fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer at high speed or wanton disregard, and driving while license suspended or revoked.
A Lee County judge sentenced him to one year of community control followed by four years of probation. He was not sentenced to prison time.
"He was apparently the uncle of two of the children and the father of the other," according to court records.
Key Takeaways
- Three young children suffered physical distress after being allegedly thrown over a 6-foot fence by their caretaker during a police chase in Fort Myers Beach, Florida
- Rada had picked up the children from school the day before and told one mother they were "doing well" just hours before the incident
- A Lee County Sheriff's Office deputy attempted a traffic stop but did not pursue when the vehicle fled at high speed
- Surveillance footage captured Rada hurling all three children over the fence with "blatant disregard for their safety"
- All three children required hospital treatment for head and abdominal pain after the incident
- Rada pleaded no contest to child abuse and other charges, avoiding jail time but facing community control and probation
What's Next
Rada will serve one year of community control before beginning four years of supervised probation. The long-term wellbeing of the three children remains a concern for investigators and advocates following this disturbing case.
"He knew what he did was wrong," according to his own statements to investigators, "but was scared to return to prison."