ORLANDO, Fla. -- The brother of Orlando Police Chief John Mina is facing charges of sexual battery on a child.
- Edward Michael Mina charged with sexual battery of a child
- Affidavit: Juvenile came forward to school resource officer
- Chief John Mina 'most concerned about welfare of the child'
Edward Michael Mina, 51, was charged Tuesday with sexual battery on a child under the age of 12 and lewd or lascivious molestation, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
The chief's brother is being held at the Orange County Jail without bond.
According to an arrest affidavit, the juvenile came forward to a school resource officer and said they'd been sexually molested by Edward Mina "almost daily" over the course of about three years.
On Tuesday, the juvenile agreed to take part in a controlled phone call with Edward Mina, during which deputies say Mina said, "If you tell them the truth I am going to go to jail for a long time." After the call, "the victim was overcome with emotion," the arrest affidavit said.
Investigators then went to Edward Mina's Orlando home. The affidavit said Mina "immediately exited the residence and stated, 'I know what this is about.' "
It's not clear what relationship the child has to Edward Mina.
John Mina said in a statement: "These are extremely serious and disturbing criminal allegations. At this time, I am most concerned with the welfare and privacy of the child involved, and won't be making any further comment," the police chief said.
The last act of abuse happened two years ago, the child told authorities, but they'd feared coming forward up until that point because they thought they wouldn't be believed.
"Children rarely make up stories about sexual abuse or physical abuse," said Dr. Sharon Carnahan, a development psychologist and professor of psychology at Rollins College.
Carnahan said it's important that adults take kids seriously when they come forward with allegations of abuse. Building trust with a child, Carnahan said, involves adults having sometimes uncomfortable but crucial conversations.
"We think it's important for parents to teach kids about biologically correct body parts... teach them that nobody can touch your bathing suit parts without their permission. No one should ever take photographs or pictures of your private parts, and if anyone does anything at all with your private parts that seems unusual, you should tell a grownup," Carnahan said. "They will be empowered to own their body and to say, 'Stop, I don't like what you're doing.' "
Edward Mina's first appearance before a judge Wednesday was rescheduled.
Spectrum News Reporter Greg Angel contributed to this story.