PALM COAST, Fla. (CBS12) \u2014 A former Miami Dade College professor accused of sexually assaulting a missing 15-year-old was arrested in Palm Beach County after DNA testing linked him to the case.<\/p>\n
Deputies with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office<\/a> say 46-year-old Richard Tapia of Palm Coast was re-arrested in Palm Beach County after forensic testing by the sheriff’s office confirmed his DNA was present in a sexual assault kit connected to a teen.<\/p>\n The investigation began July 22, when deputies responded to a Palm Coast hotel after the girl\u2019s mother reported that her runaway daughter was staying there with an adult man.<\/p>\n Deputies found the girl leaving the hotel through a back stairwell. Tapia was located moments later as he was leaving through the front lobby, according to the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n See also: 2 more arrested in Okeeheelee Park armed robbery of teen ‘barber’<\/a><\/p>\n Detectives determined Tapia had met the girl through an online app, picked her up in Jacksonville and drove her to Palm Coast, investigators said. <\/p>\n The girl told deputies that Tapia sexually assaulted her multiple times at the hotel.<\/p>\n Tapia was initially arrested on a charge of interference with child custody while detectives continued investigating the sexual assault allegations.<\/p>\n Investigators later conducted forensic interviews and analyzed evidence from Tapia\u2019s cellphone. A sexual assault kit was also sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement<\/a> for testing.<\/p>\n That testing confirmed Tapia\u2019s DNA was present, according to the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n On Sept. 22, a capias was issued for Tapia on three counts of lewd or lascivious battery on a victim between the ages of 12 and 16.<\/p>\n \u201cThis mother\u2019s determination helped us find her daughter, which started the investigation on this pervert,\u201d Sheriff Rick Staly<\/a> said. \u201cOur detectives followed the evidence and built a strong case against this predator who took advantage of a vulnerable child.\u201d<\/p>\n The sheriff\u2019s office said its Fugitive Apprehension Unit<\/a> worked with the Florida Highway Patrol to locate and arrest Tapia in Palm Beach County.<\/p>\n