Man facing child sex charge

CRYSTAL RIVER — Citrus County deputies arrested a 26-year-old Homosassa man Friday for allegedly molesting a 5-year-old Dunnellon girl.

The girl’s father reportedly told law enforcement Thursday he was in the kitchen when he heard the girl telling someone to stop. When he went to look for the girl, the father stated he found her lying on the bathroom floor with Allen David Hamilton Jr. kneeling in front of her in an alleged incriminating position.

According to the arrest report, Hamilton quickly left the bathroom and the girl, who reportedly suffers from both speech and mental disabilities, told her mother Hamilton had touched her inappropriately.

The family informed investigators that Hamilton had done sexual acts in the presence of children before that concerned them; therefore, he was not allowed to be around the children. The family also reportedly told investigators Hamilton also has mental disabilities.

The girl was transported to Gainesville for a child protection team interview and exam. While the exam staff noted certain areas on the girl’s body were red, the girl could not explain what happened due to her disabilities.

On Friday, investigators with the CCSO’s Special Victims Unit conducted an interview with Hamilton. He reportedly denied touching the girl and stated he was only in the bathroom to use it. Though he was able to describe what the girl was wearing and how she was positioned on the bathroom floor, Hamilton could not explain how the girl got there while he was in the bathroom.

He later declined to speak to investigators, stating he was “too upset” to speak, the arrest report stated.

Hamilton was charged with one felony count of lewd and lascivious molestation. He was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility in Lecanto, where he was given a no-bond status.

Chronicle reporter Shemir Wiles can be reached at 352-564-2924 or swiles@chronicleonline.com.