Bradenton couple charged with raping runaway child

A Bradenton couple have been charged with drugging and raping a child they had sheltered after they ran away from home, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Kayla Ann Boak, 30, faces one count of sexually battering a mentally incapacitated minor and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Jeffery Gabbard, 31, is charged with two counts of sexual battery on a mentally incapacitated child and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

According to the arrest warrant, the child was reported as a runaway on March 31 and two weeks later was found at Gabbard and Boak’s Bradenton residence. The victim revealed at least three sexual assaults, according to the report.

Deputies say Boak was aware the minor was a runaway and picked up the victim and brought the child to their home in the 800 block of 67th Avenue West.

On April 11, the couple provided the victim with drugs and alcohol, according to the warrant. Then they sexually assaulted the child, the report says.

Investigators obtained a warrant on April 16 and both Gabbard and Boak were taken into custody two days late.

Gabbard remains in custody on bonds totaling $501,000. Boak remains in custody on bonds totaling $101,000.

This story was originally published April 21, 2020 at 8:10 AM.