School Janitor Arrested On Charges Of Incest, Sexual Battery Of A Child

Date Added: August 11, 2017 2:52 pm

Andrew Gant
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

SCHOOL JANITOR ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF INCEST, SEXUAL BATTERY OF A CHILD

A janitor who works at Timbercrest Elementary School in Deltona was arrested at the school this morning by Volusia County sheriff’s detectives who charged him with several counts of sexual battery and incest.

George Cortes, 76 (DOB 7/17/1941), of Deltona was arrested around 10:30 a.m. at Timbercrest following a VCSO investigation that started in mid-June.

Detectives interviewed two young female victims who disclosed that Cortes sexually battered them during the 2014-2015 timeframe. One victim was 15 to 16 years old during the incidents, and the other was 18 to 19.

The investigation revealed Cortes sexually battered the older victim on two occasions, coming into her bedroom while she was sleeping and fondling her in bed. Detectives also determined Cortes sexually abused the younger victim on two occasions, once by coming into her bedroom where she was sleeping and again when he took her into his own bedroom and sexually battered her.

None of the allegations involved any activity on a school campus or any victims from school. However, because of the nature of the allegations and descriptions of Cortes’ behavior, detectives are asking parents of kids who knew Cortes to talk with their children and report anything suspicious to the Sheriff’s Office Child Exploitation Unit. That phone number is 386-323-3574.

Cortes’ charges are three counts of sexual battery on a victim under the age of 18, one additional count of sexual battery and three counts of incest. Deputies executed a search warrant at Cortes’ home on Normandy Boulevard and seized evidence that will be examined as the investigation continues. Additional charges are possible.

Cortes was an employee of GCA, a third-party vendor that provides custodial and grounds services to Volusia County Schools. The School District provided the following message to parents earlier this afternoon:

“Good afternoon parents.  This is Mrs. McKinney, principal of Timbercrest Elementary calling to provide you information regarding a GCA custodian who was arrested this morning by the Sheriff’s office.  None of the charges are related to Timbercrest Elementary; however, he has been a custodian at the school since February 2017.  When he was hired, a background check was conducted and he had no prior convictions.  Due to this arrest, he will not be permitted to work on any Volusia County School campus.  Additional information will be released from the Sheriff’s Office.”