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Deltona youth counselor charged with molestation, more victims possible, deputies say

DELTONA, Fla. — A 31-year-old youth counselor in Deltona has been arrested and charged with molesting a 12-year-old boy, officials said. Because of his history mentoring children, investigators said they are concerned there may be more victims.

Nathan Gorzelanczyk was arrested Monday night after the victim told a therapist that the man had allegedly molested him multiple times in the past year, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said.

Gorzelanczyk, a counselor at The Journey Church in Orange City and Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, had been mentoring the victim, taking him to play tennis and buying him gifts for some time, investigators said.

The boy told investigators that he had been molested and shown pornography when he visited Gorzelanczyk’s home, the sheriff’s office said.

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When questioned by deputies, Gorzelanczyk said he had recently been fired by the Methodist Children’s Home, but did not give a reason, investigators said.

Florida United Methodist Children’s Home released this statement:

“Nathan Gorzelanczyk was employed by the Children's Home for a few weeks. He was released during his initial probationary period. His release from employment was not related to any act of abuse that occurred on our campus or against any child in our care. We have no reason to believe he committed any form of physical or sexual abuse on our campus or toward any child in our care during his employment at the Children's Home.”

A woman who used to work with him spoke to Channel 9, but did not want to give her name.

“It is disgusting. If it's true, it's disgusting. We're just kind hoping it’s not what the police are saying it is.”

Witnesses told deputies that the man had often mentored neighborhood boys at his home, offering to give them piano lessons or play video games with them, the sheriff’s office said.

Because of his extensive interaction with children, investigators said they believed there could be more victims.

Gorzelanczyk was arrested and charged with lewd or lascivious molestation.

He was being held at the Volusia County Jail in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

Anyone with information on Gorzelanczyk is asked to contact the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office at 386-323-3574 or Crime Stoppers at 888-277-TIPS.