Man accused of keeping unfit home for family

By Times staff writers

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 19, 2000

A man faces a charge of child neglect after authorities say they found his home in deplorable condition. Ronald Bernard Selvidge, 54, of 20058 Wildwood Drive just west of Brooksville, was arrested Monday and accused of failing to maintain a safe environment for his 16-year-old son. Deputies found his home falling apart, full of holes that stray cats routinely walked through, a Hernando County sheriff's report said. A toilet, covered in feces and mold, did not work, and family members used a bucket that they emptied in the back yard, the report said. Dirty clothes and dishes crawling with insects were also found. Selvidge was taken to the Hernando County Jail and released Tuesday without having to post bail. Another arrest is pending, officials said.

Man charged with having sex with 13-year-old

A Hernando Beach man faces eight counts of lewd and lascivious assault on a child after authorities say he engaged in consensual sex with a 13-year-old girl. Neil H. Batson, 18, was arrested Tuesday after the girl told Hernando County Sheriff's deputies that she sneaked out of her house on several occasions and had sex with Batson at his house, at 3498 Eagle Nest Drive. She also said that Batson had provided her with drugs, a report said. Batson was taken to the Hernando County Jail, where he remained Tuesday evening in lieu of $80,000 bail.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.