Last Updated: Friday, 10:30 a.m.
Flagler Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area of Pine Lakes Parkway and Brushwood Lane in Palm Coast late Thursday afternoon in reference to a suspicious person. The associated incident report, released Friday morning but heavily redacted, lists the case as a “sex offense,” and a sheriff’s spokesman this morning specified that the incident “may have been a lewd and lascivious molestation.”
The investigation revealed that the 8th grader, who was walking home from Indian Trails middle school, was approached from behind by an adult male and “possibly assaulted,” according to a sheriff’s office news release. The incident report states that the lewd and lascivious battery was “committed,” not merely attempted. “This occurs when a person intentionally touches the breasts, genitals, or buttocks of a child younger than 16 in a lewd or lascivious manner; or encourages, forces, or entices a child younger than 16 to touch another person in a lewd or lascivious manner,” the sheriff’s spokesman explained in an email.
The incident report redacts the actual location of the incident, which goes beyond the scope of the allowed exemption under Florida law, which specifies that “The time, date, location, and nature of a reported crime” may not be redacted. FlaglerLive has asked the Sheriff’s Office to release that information. Sid Nowell, the sheriff’s attorney, later clarified that the location given in the report was the location where the statements about the incident were taken, and were the address of the girl’s home–which are protected. The closest to a precise location that the document reveals, Nowell said, is the intersection of Pine Lakes Parkway and Brushwood Lane.
“This is an active investigation and we’re grateful that the female student was not physically hurt,” said Sheriff Jim Manfre. “Detectives have been called out to the scene and deputies have been searching the area.”
The subject is described as a white male, 30-40 years of age, large build with brown hair (possibly balding) and brown eyes. He was last seen fleeing the area on foot and was described wearing black shoes, khaki gray pants, navy sweater with a zipper and a white stripe down the side.
The incident, according to a police report, took place at 3:40 p.m. “Several deputies arrived and the area shortly after the call came out and set up a perimeter,” the incident report states. “K9 responded to the area to conduct a search and had negative results. The perimeter units did not locate any male in the area matching the description provided.”
The girl’s 40-year-old parent provided a written statement to deputies, as did the girl.
“At this time,” a spokesperson for the sheriff told media Friday morning, “I do not have any updates regarding the incident from yesterday. Our investigation continues and the school resource deputies have been notified. Their duties include patrolling the campus, but they are keeping an extra watch today. Our road deputies are also conducting extra patrols in the area. I will keep you updated and informed as soon as I receive additional information.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office at 386-313-4911 in reference to case 2015-1152 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1000.00.
On Jan. 29, Palm Coast’s Judiko Academy wrote on its Facebook page: “It is critical that we understand that real world violence is something that doesn’t just happen on TV or to “other” people. It happens everyday in our communities – no matter how good communities may be there is always a real threat of violence.” It then added: ” If anyone knows that young lady – please forward our information to her and we’ll gladly provide her a full year scholarship to train at the Jukido Academy.”
turtle says
So glad she is safe!!!! I think it is crazy that middle school kids are not provided safe transportation to and from school if they live within 2 miles of the school, and there is no after school care available for middle school, so many kids have no choice if their parents have to work for a living (and don’t we all?!) A lot can happen in 2 miles!!! Again, so glad she is safe. Praying for the continued safety and well being of all of our children.
20+ year resident. says
Would be nice to put those terrible traffic cameras to use and find this monster. They are everywhere. That Monster that molested all those kids tha was arrested last year(I believe it was over 200 counts and I think he got life) lived less than 1/2 a mile from there! It would be nice to hear of some police actually catching someone evil instead of writing costly tickets to locals struggling to feed their families and pay Palm Coast’s high Taxes. The million dollar question is “How many times did this thing go to do this and got away with it!?Never let your kid walk alone.
confidential says
I argued before, regarding those kids walking home from school because they reside two miles away…even if were one mile away from school is dangerous to walk alone that distance in this semi unincorporated area with mostly no sidewalks!
I pay taxes for our children to get an education and be safe while in school not for the red tape of too many high paid administrators, curriculum specialist and useless costly computer programs bought or derelict real estate, only to justify graft! Use my taxes for what is intended and not to benefit the well connected few!
Glad that young lady student is safe! Lets catch that predator. We should all keep our eyes open when we see those school children, if even with just a glance making sure they go by safe! I always do.
Yellowstone says
Tell your kids the same thing our parents told us, “Don’t walk home from school alone! Find friends and walk with them as a group. If something odd is happening around you – run to a house that has a sign indicating it is a safe place. Today’s technology allows you to use your 911 feature on your cellphone – USE IT!”
Now we need to reinforce the safety ideas we had as kids. We need to reinstitute safe houses and neighborhood watchdogs. Might be a good idea to frequently check out those supposedly responsible adults your children encounter in the classroom. (Watch the TV news – the world is full of deviants.)
The Central Florida perverts are on the loose and all over Flagler and Volusia counties.
orphan says
Some of the responses above indicate a need to change the school bus transportation rules/guidelines regarding how close to a school a child lives before that child qualifies for public transportation.
This is a different America than the one in which I grew up. We were able to walk miles to and from school and between our friends homes with no chance of being assaulted. What the Hell has happened?
I don’t see a more positive solution than parents becoming active physically with every known moment of their children’s lives.There is no way that the section of road in question can secure a child’s safety without constant surveil…ahhh-damn. Please tell me no!
Parents need to accept that at this time in history, 2015, a whole new set of parameters are in effect.
You cannot ask for the “government” to fix your every problem!
At some point, and I’m sure totally against your will, you have to take on the responsibility of protecting your family.
The option is to lose both family and country. :(
‘
Anonymous says
I totally agree about the lights. Instead of paying 158. For your tire to go over a line, protect our kids with additional busses. The money that has been paid by those tickets could buy a few more busses so these kids don’t have to walk 2 miles.
Grandma says
It is quite ridiculous to associate a molestation with traffic light cameras.
It is so inconceivable that we have such monsters in our midst. I don’t have an answer to the problem unfortunately, but it needs to be addressed for instance with a committee, possibly of parents from the school coupled with law enforcement people.
Ken Dodge says
It’s not the distance of more than two miles, but the more than two hours elapsed. The report gives the time of occurrence as 3:40 pm, more than two hours after the 1:25 dismissal listed on the ITMS website. This 8th grader had either remained behind for an after school activity, or had taken a round about route, perhaps having gone to someone’s house on the way home. An objective assessment of student transportation policy and resources cannot be made without knowing where she had gone after dismissal from school.