Another Haines City family is coming forward, reporting Dale Collins was stalking their children.
The Haines City Rattlers cheer squad was outside raising money for their team when Collins is accused of trying to give his phone number to a seven-year-old girl.
Collins is also accused of trying to get the young girl to come to his RV to show her a dog he had. The young girl refused and the Publix manager called 911 to report the near abduction.
When it was announced Collins was arrested, other parents realized they had been in contact with Collins.
“It was just too close to home, it was gut wrenching and shocking,” Monica Powell-Dunnahoe, a Haines City mother said.
The Publix on 617 US 17 N. Is just a few miles from the Dunnahoe home. Monica says she has seen Collins there often as well as other public markets. But, she didn’t only recognize the man, Collins had been inside her home.
“He was trying to use me to work on his motor home,” Jammie Dunnahoe said.
Jammie, a dad to young girls himself became worried after the odd behavior he says Collins displayed.
After seeing the report on TV, he went to the Haines City Police Department to report the suspicious behavior.
“Just him staring, and looking and his eye contact,” Jammie explained that Collins had been trying to look at his 13-year-old daughter through his SUV and had to ask the man to stop.
Before the arrest, Monica said she also had a bad feeling about the man.
“It didn’t feel right, he didn’t want to leave,” she told ABC Action News that when Collins was at their home to have his RV repaired, Collins stayed as late as10:00 p.m. and refused to leave their home.
There are multiple ways parents can track down sex offenders.
Heading to the Polk County Sheriff’s Website is one way.
ABC Action News found 59 sex offenders in Haines City and more than 500 in surrounding areas. However, Dale Collins isn’t one of them.
That’s because Collins doesn’t have a criminal history of sexual nature. He’s never committed a crime like this before.
But, according to Haines City Police there are things parents can look out for.
- Trust your gut
- Watch for people hanging around children for long periods of time
- Report odd behavior
The Dunnahoe family says they are glad they recognized the behavior, before it was too late.
“I am going to keep a close eye on my children.” Jammie said.
Collins is being held on a 500 dollar bond, and charged with attempting to lure a child.
