STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — A 20-year-old man living in Stuart is in the Martin County Jail after investigators said he was caught having sex with a 12-year-old girl.

“Someone that would take advantage of a child – these are terrible human beings,” Budensiek said.

Budensiek said Henry Perez-Robiero, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was arrested after the girl’s mother caught them in the act over the weekend. Budensiek said investigators believe the abuse was not a single incident and may have started when the girl was 10 years old, meaning the relationship had lasted about two years.

Budensiek said the case did not appear to involve an online encounter, but rather someone who already had access to the child through people she knew.

“This was not an online chatter that we know of – there was a family connection where it looks like he had some relationship with the family, and he latched onto the 12-year-old girl,” Budensiek said.

See also: Man accused of killing wife, fleeing to El Salvador extradited to Palm Beach County

He contrasted the investigation with last week’s Martin County sting operation in which deputies posed as minors online and arrested six men who were heading to meet a child. Still, Budensiek urged parents to stay alert as children spend more time on phones and online during the summer.

“Be vigilant, we’re going into the summertime. Older kids are able to stay home alone, but they’re on their phones interacting with people you don’t know,” Budensiek said.

Debbie Butler, with Guardians for New Futures, said increased screen time during the summer can raise risks for children, pointing to apps such as Snapchat and gaming sites such as Roblox, where chat features can be used by predators.

“I know parents think they’re invading their child’s privacy by going through their phone – excuse me, hell no! You’re paying for the phone, and if you can protect that child, then do it, please,” Butler said.

Butler also warned that abuse is often committed by someone close to the child, saying more than 70% of cases involve a family member. She said predators can build trust and then pressure children to stay silent, and that younger children may not understand what is happening to them.

“When you think of 12-year-old or even younger, these children don’t really know sometimes that what is happening to them is really wrong,” Butler said.

Butler encouraged parents to keep close tabs on their children’s activities.

“Just know what they’re doing and where they’re going,” she said.

Perez-Robiero is being held with no bond, and there is an ICE detainer on him, according to the sheriff’s office.