Weeki Wachee man faces child molestation charges, deputies say

A 38-year-old Weeki Wachee man faces child molestation charges involving two girls, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

Paul Edward Silva faces three counts of lewd and lascivious behavior involving a child less than 12 years old and one count involving a child less than 16 years old, according to sheriff’s office records.

After receiving a report of the inappropriate contact on June 4, forensic interviews were done with the children at Nature Coast Child Advocacy Center, according to a report from the sheriff’s office.

One of the girls said Silva had inappropriate contact with her outside of her clothing on three or more occasions while they were swimming in a pool, according to the report. She also said the contact took place while they were watching a movie and something else happened in a camper, but the child would not elaborate, according to the report.

The other child told authorities that Silva had inappropriate contact with her and also exposed himself to her, the report said.

When interviewed by authorities, Silva requested a lawyer and was placed under arrest, deputies said.

He was being held in the Hernando County Detention Center on $60,000 bond.