PALATKA, Fla. – A 23-year-old babysitter was charged with sexual assault Wednesday, two days after the mother brought her 6-year-old child to the Palatka Police Department and the boy told officers he had been touched inappropriately three times in the last two weeks.
Police said Jermaine Trevarous Morton was interviewed later that day.
"He basically admitted these actions had taken place and that he was sorry," Capt. Brad Forsythe said.
Morton was charged with one count of sexual assault and two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior and was ordered held without bond in the Putnam County Jail.
"He had been babysitting the child for approximately three years. He's a friend of the family and they feel comfortable leaving their child with him," Forsythe said. "The child is doing fine and he is currently with his mother."
New4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith recommends that parents take steps before leaving their child with a babysitter.
- Go through a service that does extensive background checks on employees.
- Have surveillance video set up in your home.
- Talk with your kids, specifically about how their time with the babysitter went
Police said the Palatka case is still under investigation and additional charges may be filed.