14-year-old charged in molestation
GULF COVE — Charlotte County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit detectives arrested a 14-year-old Gardens of Gulf Cove boy for lewd or lascivious molestation on a 6-year-old-boy. The Sun is not naming the 14-year-old because of his age. The mother of the victim called CCSO Sept. 25 to report her son had just told her that the 14-year-old ad touched him inappropriately in a rest room last March 16 at a youth function in a Gulf Cove church. Detectives interviewed the pastor of the church, who said it was the first time he had heard of this activity.
Her son was interviewed by the CCSO forensic interviewer, and he gave specific details. The teen was also interviewed. Detectives developed probable cause that the teen had had contact with the 6-year-old three times — twice at the church and once at a relative’s home. The teenager was arrested and taken to the Charlotte County Jail. Once processed, he was then transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Fort Myers, where he will remain for 21 days.