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Girl, 12, Raped In Pasco, Gives Birth, Police Say

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By LISA A. DAVIS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 16, 2008

  John Vasquez

NEW PORT RICHEY - She's only 12 and already is the mother to a baby girl, New Port Richey police say.

And investigators discovered the baby was conceived in a home in New Port Richey. A relative of the girl is the father, according to police.

Now that man, John Vasquez, 34, of Winter Park, is behind bars in Land O' Lakes Jail facing a charge of sexual battery. Bail is set at $75,000.

On June 2, New Port Richey police detectives got a call from Casselberry police in Seminole County that a 12-year-old there had recently given birth to a baby. The child was conceived in New Port Richey last spring or summer.

To protect the 12-year-old's identity, the location of where police say the rape occurred has not been released, nor has the relationship of the girl and Vasquez.

DNA evidence was collected from Vasquez and the baby, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement crime lab technicians confirmed recently that Vasquez was the baby's father, police said.

New Port Richey police detectives obtained a warrant for Vasquez's arrest, and Orange County deputies arrested him Aug. 6. He was transferred to Land O' Lakes Jail on Wednesday.

"This is one of those things that's tough on the investigator and tough on the family since it's a family member," New Port Richey police Assistant Chief Darryl Garman said.

A review of law enforcement records showed no criminal record for Vasquez before this arrest.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083 or ldavis@tampatrib.com.

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