DALKEITH, FL – On March 8, 2021, the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a sexual battery on a child. The suspect in the case, Joseph Weldon Davis (45) of Dalkeith, was arrested the following day and charged with Lewd or Lascivious Molestation on a person 12 years of age or younger and three counts of Sexual Battery on a victim under 12 years of age.
After his incarceration, two additional victims came forward and filed reports with investigators. The reported incidents occurred from the early 1990s to the mid-2000s.
One of the victims shared with investigators that they told a trusted adult at the time, but nothing was done. Both were afraid to speak out, because of fear of retaliation.
This week, investigators filed additional charges on Davis that concluded the third case. In total, Davis faces eight counts of Sexual Battery on a victim under 12, two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation on a person 12 years of age or younger and one count of False Imprisonment on a child under 13.
He remains in custody at the Gulf County Detention Facility.
“The strength of one empowered others to come forward and I hope that the healing process for each of them has begun,” said Sheriff Mike Harrison. “We are thankful for the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center who assisted with the investigation and are able to provide services to those impacted. As far as Davis, he finds himself exactly where he needs to be – a place where he will not be able to take advantage of another innocent child.”