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Odessa Parents Sue After Neighbors' Son Molests Daughter

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TBO.com

Published: November 14, 2008

The parents of a girl who was molested by a neighbor's son have sued the boy's parents.

The victim and her parents filed the lawsuit today in Hillsborough County Circuit Court against Carl and Delores Downing of 17003 Equestrian Trail in Odessa.

The victim and her family weren't identified in the lawsuit.

They say their daughter frequently visited the Downing home so the girl could play video games with the couple's youngest son.

During those visits, the lawsuit claims, the son, Adam, 18, would sit behind the girl, then 7. He would wrap his legs around her and hold her so tight she couldn't moveand would then sexually molest her, the lawsuit claims.

Adam Downing was arrested in 2007 and pleaded guilty to charges of sexual battery on a minor. Circuit Judge J. Rodgers Padgett sentenced him to 20 years in prison and placed him on 15 years of probation in October 2007.

The lawsuit contends that the Downings should have known of their son's dangerous propensities because the incidents occurred numerous times in their living room. The lawsuit claims the Downings should have known because Delores Downing was home at each time they occurred and should have heard the girl's screams. The girl's parents claim the Downings were negligent in supervising their son.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages in excess of $15,000.

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