BCSO: Robertsdale man accused of rape, sexual abuse of child

ROBERTSDALE, Ala. (WALA) - A Robertsdale man is in the Baldwin County Jail on charges of rape and sexual abuse of a child under 12. Investigators said it was only after the 11-year-old met with counselors at the Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center that she opened up about the alleged abuse.

Thirty-six-year-old David Scott Perez was arrested once released from the hospital because of injuries received when deputies say the child’s mother confronted him about the alleged abuse. That was March 10. Deputies were called to Perez’s house that day by a concerned neighbor who heard fighting.

“Deputies arrived on scene and actually witnessed the child running from the house, screaming for help,” said Lt. Andrew Ashton with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. “They went to the scene and basically were greeted as they were coming out of the house. The two adults were removing themselves from the house at that point.”

Investigators said the fight started because their victim’s mother confronted Perez about the abuse. Both Perez and the girl’s mother were injured during the fight and were taken to separate hospitals. Perez also faces charges of interfering with an emergency call, domestic violence – assault and domestic violence – strangulation.

“The adult victim stated that he had beat her with his fists. He had choked her at one point, and he had kept her from calling 911 to get any type of help. It was all consistent with the injuries she had,” Ashton explained.

Investigators say it was during a counseling session at the Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center that the young girl opened up about the alleged abuse. Shockingly, the center sees hundreds of children a year. Director, Niki Whitaker said they see the same scenario alleged to have happened in this case all too often.

“What happens is, it’s like mom was also abused and she has a vulnerability about her and it’s like this perpetrator senses that vulnerability within her and attaches to them and basically begins to control her, abuses the child,” Whitaker said. “Sadly, we see this scenario more often that we hope to.”

Whitaker said it’s important to call law enforcement if you suspect something isn’t right. The surroundings at the Child Advocacy Center are non-law enforcement and comforting, helping children who’ve been abused open up about their trauma.

David Perez is being held in the Baldwin County Jail on a bond of $40,500.

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