A 41-year-old Pinellas Park man has been arrested and charged with raping his girlfriend's 13-year-old daughter.

Mark Phillip Sutton was brought in on multiple counts of sexual battery and molestation. According to Pinellas Park police, his victim was the 13-year-old daughter of his live-in girlfriend. 

  • Police say Mark Sutton raped his girlfriend's 13-year-old daughter
  • Mother found out about abuse when her daughter became pregnant
  • The victim said the abuse began when she was 8

The victim had been taken to the hospital by her mother for unrelated medical problems. While they were there, the pair discovered the daughter was four months pregnant.

It was the first time that either had learned about the pregnancy.

Investigators say they then discovered that she had been sexually molested and battered by the mother's boyfriend, Sutton. The abuse reportedly started when she was 8 years old.

The victim disclosed that she has never been sexually active with anyone other than the Sutton.

Sutton was taken into custody late Monday.

The investigation remains open and police say more charges are possible.