PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – The director of a Putnam County day care was arrested Friday following a months-long investigation, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said Gonzalo Aragon, 35, of Palm Coast, was charged with molestation of a victim under 12 by an offender 18 or older.
According to the sheriff’s office, Aragon is the director of the Future Little Learners Center, a Crescent City business owned by his mother.
Deputies said the alleged abuse occurred on the day care’s playground. The child reported the incident to a parent, who then contacted the sheriff’s office. During the investigation, deputies said other children disclosed seeing the victim on Aragon’s lap on the playground and reported inappropriate touching.
According to investigators, these statements corroborated the victim’s account to detectives and the Child Protection Team interviewer.
Detectives obtained a warrant for Aragon’s arrest Friday, and deputies from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested him.
Aragon was initially taken to the Flagler County jail and later transferred to the Putnam County jail on Monday, where he remains without bond.
Aragon’s attorney issued a statement saying, “The Douglas Law firm was retained earlier today to represent Mr. Gonzalo Aragon. We are beginning our own investigation into this allegation and will mount a vigorous defense for Mr. Aragon. Mr. Aragon is presumed innocent of this offense, and our team will work tirelessly on Mr. Aragon’s behalf as the judicial process unfolds.”
The investigation is ongoing.
Due to the sensitive nature of the case, no information that could identify the victim, including age and sex, will be disclosed.
Anyone with additional information regarding this case is urged to contact the sheriff’s office at 386-329-0800.
