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Miramar Man Jailed After 9-Year Old Caught Behind The Wheel

MIRAMAR (CBSMiami) – A Miramar man is in jail accused of allowing a nine year old to get behind the wheel of her mother's car.

34-year-old Carlos Esparsa is charged with child abuse and permitting an unlicensed minor to drive.

Miramar police say they received an anonymous call of a blue vehicle with a child driving and an adult in the passenger's seat.   According to police, the vehicle was seen swerving up and down SW 22nd Street in a subdivision of Monarch Lakes.

A Miramar police officer said he observed the child backing out of a driveway.  Then he says he saw the nine year old move from the driver's seat to the back seat.

The child told police it was a one time event, but neighbors say they have seen the girl driving before.

Esparsa told police he was the boyfriend of the girl's mother, and was a caretaker to the nine year old.

Esparsa remains in the Broward County jail on an immgration hold.

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