Palatka man accused of sexual assault of child

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — A Palatka man who was babysitting a child confessed to sexually assaulting the child, police said.

The Palatka Police Department on Wednesday investigated a report of sexual assault of a 6-year-old.

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The suspect, Jermaine Morton, 23, of Palatka was babysitting the child at the time of the incident, police said.

“A mother brought her child to the police department claiming that he was sexually abused, she believed,”Captain Brad Forsythe said.

According to Forsythe, the boy told police that Morton sexually abused him on three separate occasions. He said Morton has been babysitting the boy for several years.

Neighbors said Morton is quiet and typically keeps to himself. Some neighbors said that the arrest concerns them.

“I would have never guessed that our neighbor would have done something like that, especially to a 6-year-old,” neighbor Kyle Jenkins said.

Morton was arrested on a count of sexual assault and two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior. He is being held without bond at the Putnam County Jail.

Police are continuing to investigate. Additional charges may be filed.

Cox Media Group