2 men arrested in ongoing child sexual abuse investigation in St. Lucie County

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Two men were arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into the sexual abuse of two juvenile victims, both 11 years old.

The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO) said on Oct. 17, a School Resource Deputy (SRD) assigned to a local elementary school was alerted to a disturbing incident involving a fifth-grade student. The student reportedly showed another child an explicit image on their phone while riding the school bus. Upon further inquiry, the juvenile disclosed being a victim of sexual abuse by an adult. The incident did not occur on school property.

The victim also identified another student who may have been similarly victimized. This prompted an immediate investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division (CID).

Following extensive interviews with both young victims, detectives identified two adult suspects:

Tayler DiFrancesco, 19, of Vero Beach, was arrested for:

Two counts of Sexual Battery by an Offender 18 or Older on a Victim Under 12One count of Lewd or Lascivious ConductTwo counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor

DiFrancesco was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail and remains incarcerated with no bond.

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Arthur Douglas Brown, 20, of Fort Pierce, was arrested on October 20 for:

Two counts of Sexual Battery by an Offender 18 or Older on a Victim Under 12One count of Lewd or Lascivious ConductTwo counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor

Brown is also being held in the St. Lucie County Jail without bond.

Due to the sensitive nature of the case and the ages of the victims, no further details are being released at this time, according to the SLCSO.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Detective Rodrigues at the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (772) 462-3260.

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