Man arrested after sexually abusing 2 girls in Manatee County, deputies say
A 25-year-old man faces felony charges after Manatee County detectives say he sexually abused two children.
Nathaniel Denehy, of St. Petersburg, faces four counts of lewd or lascivious molestation tied to allegations involving two children, court records show. According to an arrest report, the alleged abuse happened in Manatee County on multiple occasions between December 2020 and June 2021.
Two victims, who were both 15 at the time of the last reported incident, told investigators that Denehy allegedly touched them inappropriately. Both victims described Denehy attempting to put his hands under their clothing and forcing them to touch his genitals, according to an arrest report.
One victim told investigators the abuse had been happening since she was around 8 or 9 years old and started in St. Petersburg before later occurring in Manatee County.
St. Petersburg police arrested Denehy on Jan. 23 in connection with the Manatee County charges, court records show. He was later transferred to Manatee County, where he appeared before a judge Jan. 29.
Denehy filed a not guilty plea on Feb. 2 and demanded a jury trial, court records show.
The case remains open. Denehy is set to be arraigned on March 13 before Circuit Judge Ryan Felix, according to court records.
If convicted, Denehy could face up to 15 years in prison on each of the second-degree felony counts and up to five years on each of the third-degree felony counts under Florida law.
