Bradenton man facing charges of sexual battery, molestation of 4 girls

MANATEE -- A man is facing child molestation charges after investigators say he sexually abused four girls under the age of 12 years old, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Francisco Javier Santos-Ortiz, 32, was arrested Saturday and charged with sexual battery on a victim less than 12 years old and six counts of lewd and lascivious molestation on a victim less than six years old. He is being held without bond at the Manatee County jail.

The victims are ages 5, 9, and two 10 year olds. The victims and Santos-Ortiz were known to each other.

The charges came to light Friday, according to sheriff's office spokesman Dave Bristow. Investigators were sent to Santos-Ortiz's Bradenton home yesterday.

Detectives believe the abuse has been going on for the past three years, Bristow wrote in a news release Saturday.

"We want to get it out because you never know about other victims," Bristow said. "In a case like this with multiple victims, you just never know."

Investigators are not aware of any other victims at this point, according to Bristow.

It is an on-going investigation.

Anyone with information on this case should call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at 941-747-3011.

This story was originally published January 16, 2016 at 3:47 PM with the headline "Bradenton man facing charges of sexual battery, molestation of 4 girls ."