SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A local chiropractor was arrested Thursday on accusations of raping a young girl 20 years ago.
The victim came forward in 2013 and said Stephen Somerville, who she said knows her, raped her, investigators said.
Investigators said she went back and forth about moving forward with the case and finally decided to press charges.
Yvonne Bell, Somerville's neighbor, said she couldn't believe the allegations against him.
Seminole County deputies said Somerville raped a girl younger than 12 over the course of several years in their jurisdiction in 1995. He is also accused of giving her alcohol and pills.
"Had this young lady not come forward, the state had nothing on which to base a prosecution," WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said.
Sheaffer said Florida does not have a statute of limitations for first-degree felony sexual battery when the victim is a child.
"They want to make sure that if a young person was the victim of sexual battery that they get their day in court once they become an adult and can report it," Sheaffer said.
Investigators said they don't have evidence to suggest Somerville has other victims, but urge them, if any, to come forward.
A judge gave Somerville a $30,000 bond. His arraignment is on April 12.