South Florida swim instructor accused of molesting 2 more girls

Daniel Diaz-Mejia, 20, remains in jail without bond

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A South Florida swim instructor is facing two more counts of lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under the age of 12 after two 7-year-old girls and their mothers came forward with more accusations against the man.

According to his arrest reports, the victims told their mothers that Daniel Diaz-Mejia, 20, of Cutler Bay, placed his hand under their bathing suits and touched their vaginas during swimming lessons at the Helen Sands community pool at 16350 SW 280th St.

Diaz-Mejia was initially arrested July 16 on suspicion of doing the same thing to two 9-year-old girls at the same pool.

Authorities said he admitted to those allegations after being taken into custody and added that he had molested two additional girls, ages 7 and 8.

The mother of the 8-year-old child came forward to detectives shortly after Diaz-Mejia's arrest. 

Police said the mother of another girl contacted the Special Victims Bureau later on in the investigation and told detectives that her 7-year-old was also molested by the swimming instructor.

Diaz-Mejia, who now faces five counts of lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under the age of 12, is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center without bond.

"As soon as Miami-Dade Parks became aware of the situation, the employee was immediately terminated," Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department spokeswoman Laura Phillips said. "While this is a police matter and we cannot comment on an active investigation, there is no tolerance for this behavior in our facilities. The safety and security of children is our top priority."


About the Author:

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