Publix employee accused of sexual misconduct with teen girl

MIAMI – A South Florida man is on home arrest following two felony costs. 

On Saturday, 25-year-old Keyven Worthy was charged with lewd/lascivious battery and molestation on a toddler between 12-16 years outdated.

The sufferer’s household reached out to CBS4 News to share their ache in hopes of serving to others.

Wishing to stay nameless out of security for the kid and household, CBS4 spoke with the aunt who nonetheless can’t fathom her niece was, in her phrases, preyed upon on the Silver Palms Shopping plaza.

“Helpless,” stated the aunt. “Can’t change what happened. I don’t know where to go. Don’t know what to do.”

The sufferer’s aunt shares her heartbreak over what occurred.

The choose on Saturday issued a keep away order to Worthy from the alleged 13-year-old sufferer.

“Cannot have contact directly or indirectly with this individual,” stated the choose. “That means you can’t call, text, send a message, or third party.”

The aunt says her niece first met Worthy final Tuesday, August thirtieth. She says the teen went to a retailer on the Silver Palms Shopping Plaza in Southwest Miami-Dade.

Through an legal professional, Worthy stated in bond court docket that he’s a Publix employee. There is a Publix in that purchasing heart.

The arrest kind says Worthy “fondled her buttocks and kissed her on the right cheek” whereas strolling on the plaza.

“She gave him her number,” stated the aunt about that first assembly. “He didn’t disclose his name or anything else. He started pursuing her via text.”

Then on Thursday, the household says there was one other encounter, which the mother found in real-time from her iPhone.

“When my sister asked where she was, she [the victim] said, ‘I was on my way home.’ But my sister’s telling me she’s moving pretty fast. She must be in a car. And I’m like, a car?”

The mother tracked the daughter to William Randolf Community Park. By the time the mother arrived, her daughter was gone.

Later that night time, the daughter revealed textual content message exchanges between herself and Worthy. The household says that is after they realized there was a sexual encounter. 

“So explicit,” stated the aunt in regards to the texts. “And you know you’re talking to a child. These are conversations as an adult made me red in the cheeks.

Police say in the report, “The defendant confessed.”

He was arrested and booked in the early hours of Saturday morning.

“She’s a toddler,” exclaimed the aunt. “She would not perceive. She desires in charge herself. I would like her to know it isn’t her fault. She did nothing mistaken. He’s a predator.”

The aunt shares that it’s important to warn children about the dangers of meeting strangers.

“You don’t desire your youngster residing in concern,” said the aunt. “But you need your youngster to remember of what may occur.”

CBS4 contacted Publix to see in the event that they knew of Worthy’s costs and if he is nonetheless employed. 

Worthy is on home arrest with the power to go to work. We additionally requested detectives in the event that they believed there have been extra victims. We haven’t but heard again.