16-year-old accused of taking child from birthday party, sexually abusing him and stuffing him in wedding dress bag

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB/Gray News) — A 16-year-old in Florida is being charged as an adult after prosecutors said he took a young boy from a birthday party, sexually abused him in an abandoned trailer and then stuffed the boy in a wedding dress bag.

The case was transferred to adult court Monday as the 16-year-old awaits transfer from the juvenile detention facility in Gainesville.

According to an affidavit from the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the victim, a child under 12, was attending a birthday party on May 20 with his mother when he went missing. The mother was told he was last seen playing hide-and-seek with the 16-year-old.

While looking for her son, the young boy’s mother saw the teenager’s mother coming toward her carrying the young boy, who was naked.

According to the affidavit, investigators learned the 16-year-old had taken the boy to a nearby abandoned trailer where he sexually battered him. He then allegedly stuffed the victim into a wedding dress bag.

The boy told his mother that “the bad guy” had hurt him, removed his clothing and put a bag over his head, according to the affidavit. The boy identified the 16-year-old as “the bad guy.”

The teenager said he intended to check on the victim in the morning. He also said he was “not himself” during the alleged crimes.

The detective investigating the case described the teenager’s actions as having “willfully tortured” the victim.

The affidavit notes that both the young boy and the teenager are autistic, according to their parents.

An arrest warrant for the 16-year-old details the charges against him, including sexual battery, false imprisonment and aggravated child abuse.

Officials with the State Attorney’s Office said the teenager is being held without bond.