Florida corporal Donald Valverde, 37, previously investigated over domestic situations, is fired on child sex charges

A Florida sheriff’s corporal was arrested after a child reported being sexually abused over an extended timeframe, authorities said.

Donald Valverde, 37, was employed by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.

On September 4, investigators arrested the corporal on three sex-crime charges, according to the agency.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office fired Valverde following his arrest, officials said.

Detectives began looking into the allegations after the child came forward earlier that week, police said.

The child told detectives the sexual abuse had been happening for a “lengthy period of time,” according to investigators.

The accused held a custodial relationship to that child, the sheriff’s office said.

The alleged offenses occurred while Valverde was off duty in Pasco County, according to authorities.

The defendant faces two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and one count of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, records show.

Sheriff Chris Nocco described the allegations against the former corporal as “horrendous,” authorities said.

Nocco acknowledged that Valverde had previously been investigated over domestic situations, but said there had not been enough evidence to terminate him. Those earlier investigations remained separate from this case, the sheriff said.

Valverde had worked for the agency since 2015, serving first in patrol and later in logistics, according to officials.

Authorities have not released the child’s exact age, the specific custodial relationship, or how long the alleged abuse continued, officials said.

The child is safe and receiving support, police said.

Investigators are asking anyone else who may have been harmed or has information to call 1-800-706-2488, the sheriff’s office said.

Valverde has been charged, not convicted, as the criminal investigation continues, authorities said.