Teenage boy allegedly sexually assaulted by man at Dadeland Mall

Police: Subject fled on foot after incident

KENDALL, Fla. – The Miami-Dade Police Department is looking for the person who allegedly sexually assaulted a teenage boy Sunday afternoon, while he was shopping with his mother at Dadeland Mall.

Police said the 14-year-old wandered away while his mother was at a register. That's when he was approached by a man between the ages of 40-50, who struck up a conversation with him.

At some point, the man unbuttoned the victim's pants, reached into them and fondled his genitals over his underwear. The victim then ran to find a nearby sales associate to report what happened.

Police said the man ran out of the mall.

Needles to say, shoppers at Dadeland Mall are concerned.

"I think that is crazy," said Amanda Botell. "You have to be careful nowadays. Even for five seconds, if your kid wanders somewhere and then...that's insane."

"Nobody is safe anymore," said Jennifer Cazzaniga. "That is the scary part. Not in a school, not in a shopping mall, not in an airport, nowhere!"

Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.


About the Author:

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