PINELLAS PARK, Fla. – On Saturday, February 20, 2021, Pinellas Park Police patrol units responded to a private residence to meet with a 13-year-old juvenile female regarding a sexual battery allegation.
A Pinellas Park Police Detective responded to the scene and took over the investigation that night. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the 13-year-old victim was sexually battered within her home by her biological grandfather who was later identified as Terence Edwin Phillips of Port Richey, FL.
The investigation revealed that Phillips was staying with the victim and her family temporarily as a result of him not having any power at his home in Pasco County, FL.
The sexual battery took place in the early morning hours on the 20th of February within the bed belonging to the victim. Since that time detectives worked to gather additional evidence in the investigation and today took Phillips into custody without incident.
Phillips was booked into the Pinellas County Jail where he was given a $100,000 bond on each of the sexual battery charges.
The investigation remains active and ongoing and we will update this story when further details are released.