A former Florida babysitter has been convicted of five counts of capital sexual battery on a person less than 12 years of age.
The State Attorney said he would have pursued the death penalty if it was possible.
After a three-day trial this month, a Flagler County jury found defendant Donald Andrew Sharp guilty as charged of four counts of Sexual Battery on person less than 12 years of age, Principal in First-Degree Sexual Battery on person less than 12 years of age, Principal to Lewd/Lascivious Molestation on person less than 12 years of age and Lewd/Lascivious Molestation on person less than 12 years of age.
“This defendant used the love between a brother and sister and their family to engage in the most horrific of crimes against children,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. “It is unfortunate that the death penalty does not apply because the crimes were committed before the law was amended to authorize the death penalty. Otherwise, a death sentence would have been pursued in this case.”
The case was investigated by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Melissa Clark successfully tried the case for the state. The Honorable Terence Perkins presided over the case and is set to pronounce sentence on April 2, 2024.
