Harold Marinus, 65, Orlando faces a capital felony after police say he molested a child during a Bradenton Beach vacation.
Bradenton
An Orlando man is under arrest after investigators say he molested a girl during a family vacation in Bradenton Beach.
Harold Marinus, 65, is charged with one count of lewd or lascivious molestation involving a child under 12, a felony punishable by life in prison, according to court records. The incidents were reported to have happened in June 2025 while Marinus and the victim were staying at a vacation rental in Bradenton Beach, according to an arrest report.
An attorney representing Marinus did not immediately respond to the Bradenton Herald’s request for comment.
The child told investigators Marinus touched her inappropriately over her clothing before placing his hand underneath her clothing and continuing the sexual contact, according to the arrest report.
The child said the abuse happened twice, once during the Bradenton Beach trip and once earlier in Orlando, the report states.
Court records show Marinus was arrested in October 2025 in Orlando in connection with the earlier incident.
Investigators also cited text messages Marinus sent to his wife apologizing “for what he had done,” according to the report.
Bradenton Beach Police arrested Marinus earlier this year. Circuit Judge Frederick P. Mercurio ordered him held without bond at a February hearing, according to court records.
Marinus has pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial, court records show.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday at the Manatee County Judicial Center.
Bradenton Herald
Michael Moore Jr. is the public safety and justice reporter for the Bradenton Herald. He covers crime, courts and law enforcement. Michael grew up in Bradenton and graduated from University of South Florida St. Petersburg.