Two men are behind bars following a disturbing investigation into the sexual abuse of two 11-year-old victims, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO).
The case began on October 17, when a School Resource Deputy assigned to a local elementary school was alerted to an incident involving a fifth-grade student who allegedly showed another child an explicit image on a school bus. When questioned, the student revealed they had been sexually abused by an adult, prompting an immediate investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division (CID).
Further inquiries led detectives to identify a second young victim who had also been targeted.
Following extensive interviews, investigators identified and arrested two adult suspects:
Tayler DiFrancesco, 19, of Vero Beach, charged with:
• Two counts of Sexual Battery by an Offender 18 or Older on a Victim Under 12
• One count of Lewd or Lascivious Conduct
• Two counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
DiFrancesco remains in the St. Lucie County Jail without bond.
Arthur Douglas Brown, 20, of Fort Pierce, arrested on October 20 and charged with:
• Two counts of Sexual Battery by an Offender 18 or Older on a Victim Under 12
• One count of Lewd or Lascivious Conduct
• Two counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
Brown is also being held without bond.
Authorities emphasized that the alleged abuse did not occur on school property, but credited the swift reporting by school staff and the SRD for initiating the investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate and urges anyone with additional information to contact the Criminal Investigations Division or submit tips anonymously through Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers.