VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A man arrested in November following the disappearance and return home of a DeBary 15-year-old girl is facing new charges after further investigation, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
The girl was reported missing the morning of Nov. 3. Sheriff’s Office officials believed she was with Hilario Maldonado, 29, who is a convicted felon.
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The teen was found later the same day and returned home, deputies said.
According to the arrest report, the girl’s father previously reported Maldonado to DeLand police for having an unauthorized relationship with his 15-year-old daughter. The girl’s parents told deputies they had been dealing with issues with Maldonado, who lives in DeLand, since August.
The teen told detectives she first met Maldonado on social media in July, according to the report.
After the teen’s safe return, Maldonado was charged with interfering with child custody as well as lewd and lascivious molestation.
On Tuesday, the sheriff’s office filed new charges against Maldonado including additional counts of lewd or lascivious battery, directing or promoting a sexual performance of a child and possession of a sexual performance by a child.
Volusia County Jail records show he was booked into the facility on Monday.
Investigators are also seeking anyone who may have had similar encounters with Maldonado. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Steven Wheeler at SWheeler@vcso.us.