MIAMI (WSVN) - Police are seeking information on the possible aggravated assault of an elderly man in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood.
City of Miami Police said Candido Manuel Pla, 91, was found suffering multiple injuries at a home in the area of West Flagler Street and 10th Avenue on Aug. 7.
According to police, Pla remains in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
We’re requesting information regarding the Possible Aggravated Battery of the below pictured victim. He was found suffering with mutiple injuries on August 7, 2019, in the area of W Flagler St. & 10th Ave. Anyone with information is asked to call 305-603-6940 or @CrimeStopper305 pic.twitter.com/qfXgjLxhl6
— Miami PD (@MiamiPD) August 22, 2019
Friday afternoon, police officers handed out flyers to area residents as they continued their search for information.
“What we want the community to know is that this male was a 91-year-old male, someone’s father, someone’s grandfather,” said Miami Police Officer Kiara Delva.
Neighbors in the area were frustrated to hear about the possible attack.
“It’s like a part of our family is laying there dying for no reason,” said Wanda Bender.
Friday night, Pla’s daughter spoke to 7News on the phone from Cuba.
“We’re all worried and very hurt, and we’re just here, and all we know is what the doctors are telling us,” she said through a translator.
Bender lives directly behind the victim’s home and showed 7News cameras exactly where he was on that day.
“This is where he was found,” she said, pointing at a window with an air conditioning unit sticking out. “In this room right here.”
“This is his bedroom,” Bugg added.
Pla’s friend, Roberto Corcho, said he found the victim covered in blood.
“Yeah, the blood was in the floor, in the bed, the sheets, the blinds, all of it [was covered] in blood,” he said.
The next day, Corcho took a picture of Pla’s bruised face.
She and her daughter-in-law, Kayla Bugg, visited Pla in the hospital and became angered when they saw his injuries.
They also shared photos showing the 91-year-old bruised and swollen.
“His face was swollen like way out to here,” Bugg said. “His eyes were swollen shut. He had bruises on his face. His hands were swollen double the size. It was just really bad. It was horrible.”
Bender is now feeling many emotions as she waits for answers as to who is responsible.
“He was a loving, caring guy,” she said. “I’m in between anger and sad. You don’t put your hands on somebody like that. That’s wrong.”
“He was so sweet. He was so full of live, and somebody just stole it away from him,” Bugg said. “It’s not even fair. It’s sad. It’s very sad.”
Asked whether she has seen photos of Pla in his current state, Bugg replied, “I’d rather remember him like he was than see him like he is now, because it’s just not fair.”
With no leads, police are hoping the community can provide some answers.
“They can be anonymous to Crime Stoppers. We need the community to step in — we cannot do this alone — and provide us with any and all information that you may have,” said Delva. “Remember, the smallest tip can help lead us in closing this case.”
Bender said she hopes someone will call with information soon.
“I’m calling him out. Do the right thing, coward. Turn yourself in,” she said.
If you have any information on this incident, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.