May 27, 2009
Gary Davidson
Public Information Office

AREA MAN CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY BATTERING 4-YEAR-OLD GIRL

Sex crimes investigators with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office charged a 55-year-old man on Wednesday with sexually battering a 4-year-old girl while staying with her in Deltona. In a conversation with the victim’s mother, the defendant -- Charles Roth -- admitted that he got carried away with the toddler, saying he was seduced by the pretty little girl. Arrested in Orlando on Wednesday, Roth is facing one count of sexual battery on a person under the age of 12. Roth knows the victim and was acting in a custodial capacity when the incident occurred. 

According to investigators, the sexual activity occurred about two months ago. The victim’s mother reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Office earlier this month, after noticing her daughter acting inappropriately. When questioned about her behavior, the girl said she was doing what she had learned while staying with Roth. The subsequent criminal investigation by the Sheriff’s Office’s Sex Crimes Unit revealed that Roth had touched and kissed the girl inappropriately, performed a sex act on her and showed her pornographic images on a computer. Roth lives in Orlando, but the encounter occurred while he was watching the girl for a few days at her home in Deltona. 

During the conversation with the victim’s mother, Roth admitted getting too affectionate with the girl, but said he didn’t think he was hurting anybody. He acknowledged touching and kissing the girl and said he briefly performed a sex act on her, but stopped because she didn’t like it. After reviewing the findings of the Sheriff’s Office’s investigation, County Court Judge Peter Marshall issued an arrest warrant Wednesday morning. Roth was picked up by Orlando Police at his workplace on Wednesday afternoon and will initially be booked in Orange County before being transferred to the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach, where he will be held without bond.