HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – An 18-year-old from Tennessee is facing charges in Florida after deputies say he engaged in unlawful sexual activity with a 5-year-old girl.
Justin Bowen, from Hendersonville, Tennessee, is charged with sexual battery of a victim under 12.
According to deputies, Bowen and his parents were visiting acquaintances in Hillsborough County when the incident happened last month.
Investigators say the battery happened while Bowen and the girl were left alone in the home for about 10 to 15 minutes. The child’s parents were outside getting the mail and talking to neighbors at the time.
The victim later told a family member what happened. That family member then notified the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say Bowen returned home to Tennessee and would not cooperate with investigators. He eventually turned himself in when detectives issued a warrant for his arrest.
Bowen was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail.
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