A 34-year-old man from Lake Worth Beach faces allegations of molesting his girlfriend’s 7-year-old daughter more than four years ago.
On January 24, 2020, deputies from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) arrived at the Child Protection Team of the Palm Beaches to meet with the victim’s mother.
During an interview with authorities, the daughter reported that her mother’s boyfriend, Yovani Walter Umanzor Maldonado, had inappropriately touched her private areas.
The girl reported that Walter had inappropriately touched her multiple times when she was six or seven years old, during times when her mother was away from home. She mentioned that Walter had kissed her on the lips and playfully touched her private areas on one occasion.
She informed investigators that she remained silent initially due to her fear that Walter might harm her again.
The investigation uncovered that the allegations surfaced at the girl’s aunt’s residence, leading one of her brothers to initiate a physical confrontation with Walter.
During a conversation with the brother of one of the girls, he revealed that Walter had exposed himself to him on three occasions when he was about eight years old.
During a discussion with the girl’s mother, detectives proposed a medical examination for the girl, but she refused, stating that the girl had not reported any penetration. The report also noted that the mother provided PBSO with an incorrect phone number for Walter during their search for him.
The matter was referred to the State Attorney’s Office as Walter had escaped and was evading law enforcement.
PBSO arrested Walter on October 14, charging him with two counts of molesting a victim under the age of 12.
Reference: 34-year-old man accused of molesting girlfriends 7-year-old daughter: PBSO