A 31-year-old man was arrested in Orlando after he exposed himself to a 13-year-old Stonewall Jackson Middle School student and tried to grab her as she walked to class Wednesday, police said.
The victim was able to pull away from the man, later identified as Bernie de Jesus Maldonado, and a witness stopped and took her the rest of the way to school, the Orlando Police Department said.
A school reserve officer was alerted to the incident and Maldonado was located and arrested, police said.
Maldonado faced a judge Thursday.
“I'm going to order you to have no contact with any minor under the age of 18 while this matter's pending,“ said the judge.
“I agree,“ Maldonado said.
Maldonado was ordered to remain jailed on more than $50,000 bail.
Edward Morales has two children who attend the school. Morales said he's concerned because the incident is not the first in the area.
In December, two students were grabbed by what appeared from sketches to be two different men. Detectives have not said whether the incidents were related.
Morales said he welcomes the additional law enforcement presence in the area.
“It needs more patrol in the morning, definitely, most definitely, because one cop is not enough,” said Morales.
“We want to keep alert to prevent this kind of stuff, but it's sad that somebody trying to hurt our kids,” said resident Sabino Aponte.
Police said K-9 units conducted sweeps at several schools Thursday morning.
The district contacted parents, advising the children to stay aware of their surroundings and not to walk alone.
Maldonado was charged with lewd or lascivious conduct, lewd or lascivious exhibition, battery and contributing to the delinquency of a child.
Cox Media Group
