Volusia County detectives search for babysitter accused of molesting multiple children

Detectives with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office need help finding a babysitter accused of molesting multiple children after befriending their families and moving into their homes.

Michael McCabe, 47, has several warrants out for his arrest, including three counts of lewd or lascivious molestation and one count of sexual battery of a victim under the age of 12.

Detectives said he would befriend families in need, gain their trust and move in with them to be closer to their children.

The victims told detectives they would call him “Uncle Mikey.”

Four victims have been identified, but deputies believe there may be more.

In January, two teenage girls came forward and told detectives that McCabe moved into their home several years ago, and molested them repeatedly.

The victims were 7 and 11 years old at the time of the alleged crimes.

They said he abuse continued after he moved out of their home in the Shady Oaks Mobile Home Park in Ormond Beach and moved in with another family.

That case led detectives to a 9-year-old victim who told them “Uncle Mikey” molested her when she was 5 years old and living in Holly Hill.

A fourth victim reported similar allegations about McCabe to the Port Orange Police Department.

Ormond Beach resident Shwanda Cross was shocked that something like this could happen in the community where she's lived for nine years.

"It's scary," she said. "I hope the police catch him, lock him up where he needs to be and maybe get him some help."

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the victims' accounts of the alleged abuse were incredibly graphic.

"When you read the interviews and read the warrant, it actually makes your blood curdle,"he said. "(McCabe) is a con man. Whatever sap story he tells, people feel sorry for him and they invite him into their homes and eventually he becomes the babysitter or the handyman or 'Uncle Mikey.'"

Detectives believe McCabe is in the Port Orange area and ask anyone with information is asked to contact the Child Exploitation Unit at 386-323-3574 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 888-277-TIPS.

A Crime Stoppers tipster with information that leads to an arrest is eligible for a $5,000 reward.

Cox Media Group