Hawthorne man arrested on child neglect charge

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Maurice Samuel Dykes, 52, of Hawthorne, was arrested yesterday on a child neglect charge.

The arrest report for Garrett Denson lists Dykes as an adult who was reportedly in the same room when Denson allegedly sexually assaulted two women who came to his house for dinner and drinks. A 15-year-old boy was also present.

Denson’s arrest report also says that when Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies contacted Dykes by phone, he reportedly said he had been at Denson’s house Friday night, but when he heard that there were allegations of sexual battery, he said he would not talk with detectives further until he spoke with an attorney.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.