ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Detectives announced on Wednesday that they uncovered a sweeping multi-state child abuse investigation that spans at least eight states and has led to the arrest of a 40-year-old suspect.

The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said the case began in December 2025, when deputies with the Patrol Operations Bureau responded to a home in northern St. Lucie County during a Department of Children and Families investigation. Deputies determined that three children had allegedly been subjected to ongoing physical and sexual abuse. Evidence suggested the abuse occurred not only in Florida, but across several states.

The case was turned over to the Criminal Investigation Division, where Detective Diaz conducted extensive follow-up work, including multiple interviews with victims and witnesses. During the investigation, detectives identified numerous incidents of sexual and physical abuse involving the minor children, according to the SLCSO.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, investigators learned the alleged offenses took place in Colorado, Oklahoma, California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, Tennessee, and Florida. SLCSO is coordinating with law enforcement agencies in each of those states as the investigation continues to expand. Locally, the agency is working with the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Myers Police Department, and Fort Pierce Police Department.

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On January 13, detectives arrested Terry Farmer in connection with the case. SLCSO said Farmer faces eight counts of sexual battery or assault on a child 12 years old or younger by a person 18 or older, one count of lewd and lascivious behavior involving a victim under 12, one count of child abuse without great bodily harm, and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He is being held at the St. Lucie County Jail with a bond set at $1,725,000.

{p}Detectives in St. Lucie County have uncovered a far‑reaching, multi‑state child abuse case that began with a December 2025 welfare check and has since expanded across at least eight states. According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies initially discovered indications that three children had endured ongoing physical and sexual abuse, prompting an extensive investigation led by Detective Diaz. As interviews and evidence emerged, investigators linked numerous incidents to locations in Colorado, Oklahoma, California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, Tennessee, and Florida, leading to coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies nationwide. On January 13, authorities arrested 40‑year‑old Terry Farmer, who now faces several charges including multiple counts related to sexual offenses against minors, child abuse, and contributing to delinquency. With Farmer held on a bond of $1.7 million, the investigation remains active, and detectives believe additional victims may come forward. (SLCSO){ }{/p}

Detectives in St. Lucie County have uncovered a far‑reaching, multi‑state child abuse case that began with a December 2025 welfare check and has since expanded across at least eight states. According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies initially discovered indications that three children had endured ongoing physical and sexual abuse, prompting an extensive investigation led by Detective Diaz. As interviews and evidence emerged, investigators linked numerous incidents to locations in Colorado, Oklahoma, California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, Tennessee, and Florida, leading to coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies nationwide. On January 13, authorities arrested 40‑year‑old Terry Farmer, who now faces several charges including multiple counts related to sexual offenses against minors, child abuse, and contributing to delinquency. With Farmer held on a bond of $1.7 million, the investigation remains active, and detectives believe additional victims may come forward. (SLCSO){ }

The investigation remains active, and detectives believe additional victims may exist. Anyone with information related to this case or similar incidents is urged to call the SLCSO Criminal Investigation Division at (772) 462-7300 or email CrimeTips@stluciesheriff.gov.