Man charged with sexually battering 5-year-old at Sarasota daycare

By TBO.com
Published: June 12, 2009
Updated: June 12, 2009 - 10:06 PM

A 5-year-old boy was sexually battered while at a family day care, Sarasota County deputies say.

The incident occurred in October at Sandy's Family Childcare, a private residential childcare facility in the 4000 block of Vana Drive in Sarasota, deputies say.

They arrested Mark Dungan-Carpenter, 21, on a charge of sexual battery of a child under the age of 12. Carpenter is the biological grandson and adopted son of the business' owner, Sandra Dugan-Carpenter.

Mark Dungan-Carpenter, who lives at the daycare residence, isn't listed as an employee but does occasionally receive money to watch the children, deputies say.

Deputies are working with the Department of Children & Families, which is investigating the childcare business itself..

Those with information can call Det. Kimberly Northfield at (941) 861-4916 or Crime Stoppers at (941) 366-8477. They also can go to www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.