Winter Haven, FL – On October 6, 2025, Circuit Judge Brenda Ramirez sentenced 38-year-old Juan Maldonado to life in prison for lewd molestation of a six-year-old girl. The incident occurred on December 16, 2022, at the victim’s home in Winter Haven.
Maldonado visited the residence, believing he had left a bag there during a birthday party on December 15, 2022. While at the home, he was briefly in the living room before the victim’s grandmother noticed his absence. She found him sitting on the edge of the victim’s bed, watching television. When offered food, Maldonado stated he was leaving. Shortly after, the victim asked to play outside. Without the grandmother’s knowledge, Maldonado opened the side gate and accompanied the child to a treehouse.
A witness observed Maldonado kissing and inappropriately touching the victim at the top of the treehouse and alerted the victim’s grandmother. Maldonado later confessed to the acts, stating they were driven by instinct.
The conviction was supported by the efforts of Assistant State Attorney Seth Solomon and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, as acknowledged by State Attorney Brian Haas.
Source: Florida 10th Judicial Circuit
