NAPLES, Fla. — A man held a minor captive overnight at his office in Naples.
Collier County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from a minor saying a man holding her captive assaulted her.
Amaya requested the girl to clean his office when she asked to go home he refused. When they got back to his office, Amaya locked the door, took her phone and proceeded to abuse the girl inside sexually.
The girl eventually grabbed her phone texting her caregiver she was in trouble but got no response. The next morning, Amaya left to get coffee, and the girl called the police.
As immigration becomes a hot topic across the country, many fear of what could happen to them from concerns over their legal status. So calling the authorities is not at the top of their list, even if it is a severe situation.
Michael Raheb, an immigration and criminal justice attorney in Fort Myers, says this is what may have happened with the girl, having moved from Guatemala, and the caregiver not answering her plea for help.
“There might be a fear I understand, and the current language we’re using doesn’t help victims of domestic violence or more serious charges because they fear that they’re going to get deported,” he said.
Raheb said authorities should be called in these situations no matter what because their rights are protected when it comes to violent situations.
“This is exactly what a victim’s visa is for… so innocent people who are being victimized don’t fear their status keep them from getting justice in this country,” he said.
Raheb suggests a possible route for the victim is seeking an injunction or protective order against Amaya.
Deputies arrested Amaya for sexual battery of a minor and false imprisonment.
