Manatee County authorities say they've arrested a homeless man in the abduction and rape of a 5-year-old girl Monday.
Dominick Jerome Hawkins, 36, was found at a halfway house in Sarasota on Wednesday.
Manatee County deputies are expected to bring Hawkins back to the Manatee County Jail Wednesday night from Sarasota.
It is a huge relief not only for the victim’s family but also for the many other families who live in that mobile home park.
On Wednesday night, the victim’s relatives told us how they felt just hours after Manatee County Brad Steube announced Hawkins’s arrest.
"Post tranquila (very calm),” one of the victim’s relatives said. “She feels calm and happy but she's still scared of what happened."
She is scared because deputies say the suspect lived in the same mobile home park several years ago.
"She never wants to see him anymore because of what he did to her daughter," said the victim’s cousin talking about her cousin’s mother.
Sheriff Steube said they got a Crime Stoppers tip about Hawkins Tuesday night.
Then on Wednesday afternoon, Sarasota police found Hawkins at a facility for the homeless.
Deputies say he admitted he was the one in the convenience store video with the victim just minutes after deputies said he lured her away from her mobile home park Monday afternoon.
Investigators also say he admitted that he was the one who bought her the candy at that store.
They also say he admitted to being the man who tried to get on the county bus just minutes after, Sheriff Steube said, he raped the victim in an abandoned trailer.
The Sheriff says they have the evidence they need but don’t want to compromise the case so will not give out specific details.
"Because we want to make the best case,” Sheriff Steube. “We feel like we've got the right person, had the probable cause to make the arrest."
Parents at the mobile home park where the victim’s family lives say they’re relieved.
"I haven't been able to sleep at night,” said Julie Taylor, who has four kids of her own. “Worrying about the family, worrying about my kids. I'm just really happy that he's been caught."
While some kids at the mobile home park say they are still afraid.
"I don't know,” said Brittany. “I'm just scared about my little brother and my niece and stuff getting hurt."
It’s a sentiment the victim shares.
"She told us she was really scared and that she would never want to talk to any strangers anymore,” said one of the victim’s relatives.
Another relative said, “She said they feel sad and shocked of what happened."
Sheriff Steube said they have several witnesses who have already given statements, adding that he wants to make this an air-tight case to make sure Hawkins pays the price.
Hawkins has a lengthy criminal history. His last arrest took place in Manatee County in May.
He will be charged with kidnapping and capitol sexual battery.
Hawkins is expected to make his first appearance before a judge on Thursday afternoon.
Background story
The girl was playing outside while her family was inside their Wayside Glen Mobile Home Park residence. A man approached, lured her with the textbook promise of candy and took her to an abandoned mobile home, where he sexually assaulted her before she escaped.
Surveillance videos provided a pretty good look at the suspect.
According to detectives, the girl was playing with another child, who left her around noon Monday in the mobile home park at 5120 14th St. W., just before the man approached.
The suspect then coaxed the child to go with him to the India Bazaar store at 5112 14th St W., where he bought candy, detectives said.
He then took her to a vacant mobile home at the Aloha Estates Mobile Home Park at 5310 14th St. W., held her against her will, and sexually battered her, according to the sheriff's office.
The girl told a family member about the attack, and authorities were contacted.
The suspect is seen on Indian Bazaar surveillance video at about 12:15 p.m. buying candy with the girl. He's seen again on surveillance video about 12:45 p.m. trying to board a Manatee County Area transit bus
On that video, the man is seen shirtless and pulling up his pants. He is banging on the bus door, yelling, "I need to get to Sarasota."
The bus driver sensed something was not right and refused to open the door.
People who live in the neighborhood where the girl was taken say they're warning their kids about predators.
"Even if someone comes up and says, 'hey, I'm going to buy you candy,' or, 'hey, your mom told me to come pick up,' you don't go with that person," neighbor Misty Bell said.