ST. CLOUD, Fla. – A 66-year-old St. Cloud man is facing multiple felony charges after investigators say he sexually abused several children living in his home for years.
According to the St. Cloud Police Department, Paul Renuart was arrested and charged with seven felony counts of custodial sexual abuse involving children younger than 12.
Investigators said officers were called to the home Wednesday night after one of the victims disclosed the alleged abuse to an adult who did not live at the residence.
Court documents state some of the victims were as young as 5 years old when the abuse began. Detectives interviewed several children inside the home, and investigators said the children described similar incidents.
According to the arrest warrant, victims told detectives Renuart would assault them while they were sleeping. One victim said the abuse began in 2023 and continued as recently as last week.
Another victim told investigators Renuart warned her not to tell anyone and allegedly threatened that “bad things would happen” if she reported the abuse.
The report states one victim decided to come forward after learning about sexual abuse through videos on TikTok.
Neighbors told News 6 they saw a large law enforcement presence at the home Thursday morning as investigators removed bags of evidence.
The arrest warrant states detectives collected couch cushions, mattresses, bedding, and electronic devices for forensic testing.
During his arrest, officers said Renuart “began to spontaneously utter that his life was over” and said “what a way to go” before he was placed on a Baker Act hold. He was later transferred to the Osceola County Jail on Sunday.
News 6 visited the home Monday, but a woman who answered the door declined to comment.
Police said investigators believe there could be additional victims and are urging anyone with information to contact the St. Cloud Police Department by reaching out to Det. Patrick Persaud at 407-891-6700 ext. 6725, and reference report #26-002701.
News 6 also contacted the Florida Department of Children and Families to ask whether Renuart was a licensed foster parent and for how long, but the agency said it is still looking into the matter.