Florida Father Faces Jail After Threatening to Torch His Children with Firebomb

MIAMI-DADE, FL — A peaceful suburban morning in southwest Miami-Dade turned into a near-tragedy when a chilling call to 911 led deputies to uncover a potentially deadly act of violence — one targeting two innocent children.

According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, 49-year-old Carlos Cedeno was taken into custody after allegedly threatening to set two children on fire inside a car. The threat wasn’t just verbal — deputies discovered a Molotov cocktail-style incendiary device in his vehicle, signaling what could have become a horrifying domestic terror attack.

The Discovery: A Suspicious Bottle That Could Have Meant Disaster

On the morning of July 17, a concerned woman noticed something that didn’t sit right — a glass bottle with what appeared to be cloth sticking out of it sitting inside Cedeno’s vehicle. Fearing the worst, she made the call that likely saved lives.

The responding officers found not just a bottle — but a makeshift bomb, a chillingly homemade device filled with flammable liquid, a rag for ignition, and metal screws for shrapnel. Nearby sat Cedeno, who they say had just made the terrifying claim that he was going to burn two kids alive inside the car.

The Suspect’s Mental State and Motivation

Cedeno, who reportedly feared losing custody of the children, told investigators that the situation was “out of control.” Sources say he had spiraled emotionally over recent family disputes and was possibly suffering from an undiagnosed mental health issue. What’s certain is that the weight of those fears pushed him dangerously close to committing an unthinkable act.

He was quickly taken to Keralty Hospital in Coral Terrace for evaluation. Afterward, he was arrested and booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, facing serious charges including:

• Attempted murder

• Child endangerment

• Possession of a destructive device

• Threats of violence

His bond has been set at $10,000, and a judge has barred him from contacting the victims or their mother.

“He Wasn’t Like This Before…”

Neighbors in the Coral Forest neighborhood expressed shock. “Carlos was quiet, a bit odd, but never dangerous,” said one local resident who asked to remain unnamed. “I guess you never really know what someone’s dealing with at home.”

Family and friends close to the suspect are grappling with the emotional fallout — struggling to understand how a man known for playing soccer with his kids and chatting at neighborhood BBQs could suddenly turn into a threat to their lives.

Community Implications: What We Need to Learn

This incident speaks volumes about what can happen when emotional distress goes unchecked. More than just a criminal case, it’s a warning to society about the dangers of untreated trauma, unchecked anger, and lack of access to mental health care.

Key Takeaways:

• Mental health intervention: There must be stronger support networks for parents going through custody battles or emotional crises.

• Community awareness: If someone’s behavior seems off — report it. The woman who called 911 likely saved lives.

• Legal follow-up: These kinds of cases should lead to deeper investigations, including court-mandated psychological evaluations.

A Tragedy Narrowly Avoided

The homemade firebomb could’ve led to headlines far worse than we’re reading now. Thanks to quick police response, attentive neighbors, and the intervention of trained bomb squad experts, a deadly explosion — both literal and emotional — was stopped before it ever happened.

Still, two children were left shaken, a man faces serious charges, and a family — once whole — now stands at the center of a devastating collapse.