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Church volunteer accused of sexually battering child; deputies say there may be more victims

By Sarah Wilson
By Sarah Wilson

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A former Stetson University worker and DeLand area church volunteer is accused of sexually battering a child, and Volusia County deputies said there could be additional victims.

Deputies said Emmett Boykins, 27, was arrested Wednesday afternoon on three counts of sexual battery of a child.

Investigators said Boykins had supervised and potentially unsupervised access to children, leading them to question whether their could be more victims.

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According to an arrest report, Boykins is accused of sexually abusing a teenager he met at church for two years. Investigators said the abuse happened at multiple locations in DeLand and Volusia County, including at the church where Boykins volunteered.

Boykins landlord told Channel 9 that Boykins behavior had changed in recent weeks.

"He just wasn't coming out of his house or whatever. And whenever I did see him he looked very depressed or didn't feel good. I knew something was going on," the landlord said.

Channel 9 reporter Myrt Price is reaching out to deputies to gather additional information, including which churches Boykins volunteered at and when.

Deputies said anyone who believes they or their children may have been victimized by Boykins should call the Volusia Sheriff’s Office Child Exploitation Unit at 386-323-3574.

Boykins is being held without bond at the Volusia County Branch Jail.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to Eyewitness News for updates.

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