CLEARWATER, Fla. — A retired Clearwater officer was arrested after officials said he molested a child under the age of 12.
Officials said the investigation began on March 3, 2020, after a victim discussed the sexual abuse while in a Manatee County hospital.
According to the report, the crimes happened between 2015-16 while the victim was 12-years-old and younger.
During the investigation, detectives learned that there were two times where 48-year-old Stephen White molested the victim. According to the report, White entered the victim's bedroom, exposed his penis and placed it in her hand while she was sleeping.
Detectives were able to obtain an arrest warrant for White and took him into custody on Wednesday in New Port Richey.
He was taken to the Pasco County Jail where he was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12.
"During his career with the Clearwater Police Department, there was never any indication of this type of complaint against Officer White," said Chief Daniel Slaughter. "We have no knowledge about the case involving the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, but we are disheartened and troubled to hear about these types of allegations involving someone who once worked for our agency."
Officials said White retired in November 2019 after serving 22 years as a police officer with the City of Clearwater.
