'I would never do that,' former swim instructor says about molestation accusations

Francisco De Aragon faces up to life in prison if convicted

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – A former swim instructor testified in his trial Thursday, claiming that he did not molest three young girls in Deerfield Beach.

"No, no, never. I would never do that," Francisco De Aragon said. "I would never, ever, in a million years molest a child."

De Aragon made the decision later Wednesday afternoon to testify in his defense.

He is accused of molesting three 6-year-old girls several years ago at the Deerfield Beach Aquatic Center.

Each girl testified against him this week.

"He was touching my bathing suit and then he went under … his hand, and then he touched my private," one girl said.

De Aragon firmly denied the accusations against him.

"So why are you here?" his attorney asked him.

"I have no idea. This to me -- I can't explain it," De Aragon said.  

Authorities said the victims do not know each other and do not attend the same school. Their accounts of De Aragon's actions were all similar.

Prosecutors also questioned De Aragon, who told them that swim instructors have to hold various body parts while showing someone how to swim.

"You have to hold various body parts: the hands, the arms, the chest, the stomach, waist, legs," he said.

De Aragon insisted that he never intentionally did anything inappropriate, but admitted that standard teaching practices wouldn't allow him to have touched the girls inappropriately. 

"Did any of those kids flail or thrash, or do anything to have you grab them in an uncertain way?" the prosecutor asked.  

"They could have," De Aragon said.  

"Yes or no? Do you remember that?" the prosecutor asked. 

"I don't remember that, but they could have," De Aragon said.

De Aragon insisted that the day in question back in 2015 was unremarkable and there were no issues, that is until deputies came for him a day later.

"You don't remember a lot thing about the day, correct, sir?" the prosecutor asked. 

"Because, as I said, it's a day that was unremarkable -- just a normal day at the pool," De Aragon said.  

"Unremarkable to you, sir, but not those three girls," the prosecutor said.

The jury began deliberating Thursday afternoon.

De Aragon turned down a plea deal Monday that would have sentenced him to 25 years in prison.

He faces up to life in prison if a jury finds him guilty of sexual battery on a minor and lewd and lascivious molestation on a minor.


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.