Police: Man Lured, Raped, Bribed Girl
12-Year-Old Girl Says Man Gave Her $20 After Raping Her
POSTED: Tuesday, September 1, 2009
UPDATED: 8:55 am EDT September 2,
2009
DeLAND, Fla. -- A 44-year-old DeLand man was arrested on allegations that he lured a 12-year-old girl into his house Sunday night and raped her.
Antonio Hernandez was arrested on charges of sexual battery and false imprisonment.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, the girl's mother called 911 Sunday night to report that her daughter had been sexually assaulted.
The girl said she was walking in the neighborhood Sunday night when Hernandez called her over, according to the sheriff's office. The girl said she knows Hernandez and felt comfortable walking up to him, the sheriff's office said.
According to deputies, Hernandez told the girl that he had some of her things and that she could come in the house to get them. The girl agreed and went inside of Hernandez's home on South Brooks Avenue just west of DeLand.
Once inside, the girl said that the man forced himself on her and started kissing her, according to deputies. The girl said she tried to leave, but the defendant grabbed her and prevented her from leaving, the sheriff's office said. The girl told deputies that Hernandez then raped her.
The girl said Hernandez gave her $20 and told her not tell anyone, according to the sheriff's office.
The girl then ran to a neighbor to get help, deputies said.
Investigators interviewed Hernandez on Tuesday, and he admitted giving the girl $20 but initially denied touching her, deputies said. The sheriff's office said he eventually admitted having sexual contact with the girl, telling investigators: "I'm guilty for what I did, and I'm sorry for my family."
Hernandez was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach but was released Wednesday morning after posting a $10,000 bond.
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