TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — A man has been arrested after police say he molested a child he lived with for years by bribing the child with food and sweets.
James Robert Daniels II, 40, was arrested on Monday after an investigation by the Department of Children and Families lead to a warrant for his arrest in March.
According to court documents, a child victim reported being solicited, battered and molested by Daniels in January 2019.
The victim stated that the battery happened multiple times approximately three years ago. The victim said that Daniels lived with the victim's family "on and off." During that time, documents say Daniels molested and committed lewd acts in front of the victim for approximately two years.
The first incident the victim recalled is when Daniels openly touched himself in front of the victim. Documents say that in one incident, Daniels molested the victim at night while the victim was sleeping. The victim also described times where Daniels sexually assaulted the victim by bribing the victim with a candy, ice cream or cookies. The victim told investigators Daniels would say, "I'll give you this candy, if you let me do this to you."
According to court documents, the victim expressed being uncomfortable to Daniels and would tell him 'no' when he asked for the victim to participate in sex acts. However, the victim told investigators that Daniels repeatedly continued sexually assaulting the victim.
Based on the evidence, investigators found probable cause to charge Daniels with three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation, two counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition, lewd and lascivious battery, soliciting a child in sexual conduct, child abuse, and prohibition of certain acts in connection with obscene materials. A warrant was issued for his arrest on March 27.
On Monday, documents say Daniels came to the Leon County Detention Facility for a scheduled meeting at the probation office. Offices learned that Daniels had warrants out for his arrest, so they detained him and interviewed him. After the interview, he was transported to jail without incident.
He is being held in jail on no bond. Daniels has an extensive criminal history that includes drug charges, aggravated battery and burglary in Leon County.
