Advertisement

Carrollwood babysitter, 57, accused of sexually battering two girls

Both girls are under the age of 15, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
 
Tampa Bay Times
Published Nov. 20, 2020|Updated Nov. 20, 2020

TAMPA — A 57-year-old Carrollwood man is accused of sexually battering two girls, one of whom he babysat, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Thomas Ryder was arrested Thursday on two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and one count each of sexual battery and lewd and lascivious molestation on a victim under the age of 12.

The investigation started Nov. 14 when a mother called the Sheriff’s Office. The mother said she heard from another parent that her daughter had been inappropriately touched by Ryder at his home, deputies said.

Thomas Ryder, 57 [ Courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office ]

When detectives interviewed the girl, they said she told them that Ryder battered her and had taken nude photographs of her several times over the course of two years.

Detectives also learned that another girl, a friend of the girl who spoke to them, said she also spent time at Ryder’s home. The second girl said Ryder sexually battered her and took photographs of her, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Both girls are under the age of 15. Ryder was booked into the Hillsborough County jail, where he was being held Friday without bail.

Anyone who suspects a child or vulnerable adult is being abused can anonymously report the allegations by calling the Florida Department of Children and Families Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873 or by filing a report online.