Bradenton man charged with sexual abuse of minor. Cell phone held clues, cops say

A 20-year-old Bradenton man has been charged with three counts of lewd and lascivious battery on a child, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim’s “secret” cellphone, which was found by a family member and turned over to law enforcement, revealed the abuse of the child by Angel De La Cruz Paz, the sheriff’s office said. The child was described as being between 12 and 16 years old.

The victim disclosed the abuse to investigators on Sept. 16.

De La Cruz Paz admitted to the abuse to detectives the following day, according to the report and he was booked into the Manatee County jail on Thursday. He remains in custody on bonds totaling $45,000 .

This story was originally published September 19, 2020 at 11:12 AM.