Deputies: Valrico man molested several young girls over course of 2 decades after befriending their families
VALRICO, Fla. - A Valrico man is accused of molesting several young girls over the course of two decades, and deputies believe there could be more victims out there.
Hillsborough County Sheriff's detectives said they learned that, from 1998 through 2020, 62-year-old Thomas David Lair molested "numerous" young girls after befriending them and their families.
A sheriff's office spokesperson told FOX 13 that Lair is a father himself.
On Wednesday, deputies arrested Lair on five counts of lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim under the age of 12, and two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim between the ages of 12 and 15.
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Investigators are urging any additional victims to come forward.
"Our detectives are concerned that there could be other children affected, and we are asking anyone else who may be a victim not to be afraid to come forward and speak out," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. "It's important for parents to be cautious of any adult they entrust to care for their children and to also listen to their children if they say they are uncomfortable around an individual."
Last week, a former teacher and coach in Hillsborough County was re-arrested for sexually abusing children at a different school. Last month, police charged a Tampa pastor with molesting girls he took in as foster children. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay said grooming can happen anywhere often with authority figures.
"I think it’s important to help draw the distinction between what’s respectful versus what is something where the child needs to be empowered to say, ‘No, I’m not going to do this,’ and then know to go tell a parent or another trusted adult what’s happening," said Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.
According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), warning signs for grooming include an adult being overly interested in a child, trust development through gifts and attention, keeping secrets, telling a child inappropriate jokes or trying to find ways to be alone with them. Advocates said parents should watch their child’s behavior.
"If your child is an extrovert, and suddenly they're becoming really withdrawn, they're not talking a lot. They're staying in their room a lot. They're just not giving you a lot of information. That's a good sign that something is going on with them," said Amanda Altman, the CEO of Kristi House, a non-profit in South Florida. "Likewise, if they're generally withdrawn and all of a sudden you see them, just acting out, talking a lot more, behaving differently. That would also be a sign."
The Crisis Center said it’s important for parents to open the conversation and believe their child if they say something is wrong.
"You are setting precedent so that as this child grows up, they know that they can come to you with any kind of tough question or tough situation and you’re going to be receptive to it," said Reynolds.
Victim advocates said parents can be groomed to by an adult offering to babysit their children to get more access to them alone.
The sheriff’s office said the abuse in the Valrico case went on for decades. Detectives and victim advocates said they want children or anyone else who was a victim to feel safe coming forward.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200.