TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — A Tallahassee man is behind bars after investigators say he raped and impregnated a child under the age of 12.
According to court documents, a sexual battery was reported to law enforcement on June 6. In that report, investigators were told that someone else had confronted 40-year-old Germitri Linder about allegations that he was the father of a child victim's unborn child to which he reportedly responded, "I only touched her once!"
Back in May 2019, the victim tested positive for pregnancy, according to documents. Investigators with the Department of Children and Families spoke with the victim on June 7 about the new information.
During the interview, the victim stated that Linder sexually assaulted her. In a second interview with the victim, the victim said that the incident occurred in the bedroom of Linder's home on Preston Street.
Days later, Tallahassee Police spoke with Linder about the incident. However, Linder denied the allegations.
In September, investigators collected DNA samples from the victim, the baby and Linder. Documents say the DNA test confirmed that Linder was the father of the child.
Court documents also note that Linder is a registered sex offender in Florida who was convicted for lewd or lascivious battery on a 12-year-old victim back in 2001. He's also been arrested in Leon County multiple times fofr failing to comply with sex offender registration.
Based on the evidence, Linder was arrested and transported to the Leon County Detention Facility on Monday. He is being charged with sexual battery on a child under 12 years old and child abuse by impregnation.
As of Tuesday, Linder is being held in jail without bond.
