Man charged with impregnating 12-year-old girl

NEW PORT RICHEY -- A 34-year-old man has been charged with sexual battery after authorities say he got a 12-year-old relative pregnant in New Port Richey last year, city police announced today.

John Vasquez, who now has a Winter Park address, was booked into the Pasco County Jail in Land O'Lakes on Wednesday and made his first appearance before a Pasco County judge Thursday.

On June 2, detectives in the New Port Richey Police Department received information from the Casselberry Police Department that a 12-year-old girl in their jurisdiction had recently given birth to a baby girl. The 12-year-old's mother told Casselberry police that her daughter had gotten pregnant at a residence in New Port Richey.

Detectives then began their investigation. The incident is believed to have taken place over the spring and summer of 2007. The 12-year-old victim in this case told detectives that the father of the child was believed to be Vasquez, a family member.

Evidence collected from the victim, the victim's daughter and Vasquez were submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for analysis. Based on that analysis, police say they found sufficient probable cause to arrest Vasquez.

On Aug. 1, New Port Richey detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Vasquez. Vasquez was arrested on the outstanding warrant by the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

His bail was initially set at $75,000.

Jodie Tillman, Times staff writer

[Photo: Pasco County Sheriff's Office]