John Stapleton is accused of molesting a 6-year-old girl. (Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office)
A 6-year-old girl seeking refuge in a Florida storm shelter from Hurricane Michael's fury was molested by a 60-year-old homeless man, who tried explaining his actions by saying the child told him "touching felt good," police said.
John Stapleton was charged Thursday with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under the age of 12, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said.
Authorities say a witness described seeing a video of the child being “touched in a lewd manner underneath her clothing” at Davidson Middle School. The Crestview, Fla. school had been converted into a temporary shelter from the deadly and devastating storm.
Officials also reported viewing a recording of the alleged assault.
Stapleton told investigators he touched the child but argued “it was not in a lewd manner,” police said.
ABOUT 1M WITHOUT POWER AFTER HURRICANE MICHAEL SHREDS ELECTRIC GRIDS; TOWNS FLATTENED
Stapleton also claimed the 6-year-old told him his “touching felt good,” according to court documents viewed by FOX Baltimore.
Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday as a powerful Category 4 hurricane. The storm is responsible for at least 11 deaths.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox