Jay man arrested; sex abuse of child

A Jay man is facing a felony sexual battery charge on a victim less than 12 years of age following an investigation about an incident that happened two years ago.

George Michael Rasmussen, 40, 2880 Cobbtown Road, was arrested April 23 after law enforcement concluded its investigation of a sexual battery complaint filed in 2020 that occurred in 2018, according to a Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office report.

The report said the alleged victim was at a sleepover and bonfire in Jay on Jan. 17, 2020 and disclosed the incident to a friend who told an adult who made the report that led to the investigation.

The victim told another person in November, 2018, that earlier that year, around Easter, 2018, Rasmussen stuck his hand down her panties but then pulled his hand back.

In February 2020, a forensic interview was conducted at the Santa Rosa Kids House in Milton with the victim. She told investigators that about two years ago, when she was 8, her mother was not home and following a trip to the beach, she was sleeping in the bed when Rasmussen began walking around the room.

The report said she told interviewers Rasmussen moved her bathing suit to the side, exposing her vagina, then stuck his index and middle finger inside her and immediately washed his hands.

She said she continued to pretend sleep and got out of bed once Michael was gone and went to sleep in another room until her mother returned, the report stated.

She said she did not tell her mother because she was scared. The victim gave a consistent disclosure to the Department of Children and Family Services during their investigation.

Rasmussen did not appear for interviews set up multiple times with authorities.

Rasmussen was arrested April 23 and charged one count felony sexual battery by an 18 year-old on a victim under 12 years of age, transported to Santa Rosa County Jail. Rasmussen was given no bond.