Reylan Cortes-Garnier, a 28-year-old registered behavior technician at Maximum Achievers in West Palm Beach, Florida, faces child abuse charges for allegedly beating a nonverbal autistic boy with a shoe, tennis racket, book, and thrown ball on February 20, 2026.
Abuse Details
The boy’s mother, Diana Hernandez, noticed bruises, a bite mark, shaking, and injuries to his shoulder, ribcage, and back upon his return home. Facility video reviewed by police and the mother showed multiple intentional strikes using therapy items, inconsistent with any training or behavior plan. Hospital evaluation confirmed physical trauma; the boy was traumatized but recovering.
Aftermath
Cortes-Garnier apologized profusely when confronted, was fired, arrested Friday, and posted $7,500 bond—next court date March 29. The facility director initially hesitated on police involvement but cooperated after video review.
Outrageous betrayal of trust in a therapy setting—horrific addition to your stream of U.S. child endangerment cases like the Michigan starvation. Justice needed for the boy.
