15 Years After Being Sexually Assaulted, Victim’s Allegations Lead to Arrest

Fifteen years after being molested, a woman who recounted her abuse to police led to the arrest of a Sunrise man for sexual battery of a child under the age of 12.

In November of 2020, a woman told Coral Springs Police that in 2006 a man, later identified as Bernadin Demosthene, 53, had sexually abused her when she was under 12 years old.

The victim told officers the abuse took place multiple times during sleepovers at a relative’s home near the 3800 block of Northwest 84th Avenue. Demosthene — who was dating her relative at the time — would come into her room late at night and lay down next to her in bed. She told officers she was awake but pretended to be asleep when Demosthene sexually assaulted her.

The victim only recently disclosed the abuse to her mother before coming forward to the authorities.

Demosthene denied he sexually abused the victim and asks why she would be coming forward now. He also demanded evidence that the assaults took place.

Following the call, police confronted Demosthene, but he refused to be interviewed and instead retained an attorney.