SANFORD, Fla. — A teenage boy surrendered Tuesday after writing a vulgar message on the bedroom window of a teenage girl earlier this month, the Sanford Police Department said.
The 17-year-old boy, whose identity wasn't publicly disclosed, turned himself in at about 7:30 a.m., about 12 hours after surveillance video of an incident was released, police said. The boy was accompanied by his parents, investigators said.
Police said they were called on July 8 to a home on Sandpoint Court near North Country Club Road and East Crystal Lake Avenue after a 17-year-old girl awoke to find the writing on her window -- "I won't stop stalking you," followed by a vulgar remark.
Investigators said she told them she had been hearing noises outside her window for several nights.
Police said they discovered what appeared to be ear prints on the window.
Investigators said they placed surveillance cameras in the backyard of the home and shortly before 10 p.m. July 13, someone was seen in a recording.
Juanica Fernandes, the girl's mother, said she discovered letters in her mailbox.
"She's a child, so it's, like, who would say that?" she said. "There's an impression of his face on her window ... It's, like, unsettling."
Download: Free WFTV news, weather apps
Fernandes said Tuesday that she was grateful the suspect had been arrested.
"I'm really happy that his parents turned him in," said. "I'm sure that's a tough thing to do (to) your own kid, but I was happy for his safety (because) I was worried and scared, and my reaction would have been visceral if I had caught him here."
The boy was charged with loitering, prowling and trespassing.
#Update This morning, an arrest was made in connection with this incident.
— Sanford Police (@SanfordPolice) July 24, 2018
The juvenile suspect, accompanied by his parents, turned himself in at the Sanford Police Department's Public Safety Complex at approximately 7:30 am on July 24th. #Arrest #Prowler
Suspect charged with Loitering/Prowling and Criminal Trespass. Invs were told by the suspect's family, that they became aware of the incident after seeing it shared-Thank you for all of those who shared yesterday, including @WESH @WFTVNewsDesk @MyNews13 @Fox35News @news6wkmg
— Sanford Police (@SanfordPolice) July 24, 2018
Attempt to Identify - Prowler#Update ***Update** This morning, an arrest was made in connection with this incident. The juvenile suspect, accompanied by his parents, turned himself in at the Sanford Police Department's Public Safety Complex at approximately 7:30 am on July 24th. The suspect will be charged with one (1) count of Loitering and Prowling and one (1) count of Criminal Trespass. Investigators were told by the suspect's family, that they became aware of the incident after seeing it shared. Thank you for all of those who shared the information yesterday, including WESH 2 News WFTV Channel 9 News 13 News 6 WKMG / ClickOrlando and Fox 35 WOFL. #AttemptToIdentify #Prowler On July 8, 2018, Sanford Police Officers responded to a residence on Sandpoint Court regarding suspicious writing left on a 17 year old's bedroom window. After waking up, the 17 year old female noticed that there was a vulgar message written on the outside of her bedroom window, and recalled hearing noises outside of her window the night before. Sanford Police Investigators then placed surveillance cameras in the backyard of the victim’s residence. On July 13, 2018, just before 10:00 pm, surveillance cameras captured a suspect described to be a 20-25 year old male, with front braids. (See Video) Investigators have conducted hours of surveillance and have not been able to locate the suspect. Sanford Police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the subject in the video below. Anyone with information, please contact the Sanford Police Department.
Posted by Sanford Police Department on Monday, July 23, 2018
"Creepiest thing is to see someone’s left ear and face pressed against your daughter's window directly pointed at her bed.” That's what a mom said about a man who says he'll keep stalking her 17-year-old. I'll be live on @WFTV w/ the surveillance video police have of the suspect
— Samantha Manning (@SamManningNews) July 24, 2018
Cox Media Group
