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Lakeland man accused of picking girl up from school early for sex

Michael Smith, 26, of Lakeland is charged with sexual battery on a child between the ages of 12 and 14 years old.
Michael Smith, 26, of Lakeland is charged with sexual battery on a child between the ages of 12 and 14 years old, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Polk County sheriff's deputies arrested a man accused of having sex with a young girl over the span of a year on Thursday.

Michael Smith, 26, of Lakeland is charged with sexual battery on a child between the ages of 12 and 14 years old.

According to the affidavit, on Jan. 25, the victim told deputies that Smith had sexually battered her numerous times over a span of one year.

The victim told deputies that on at least one occasion Smith bought her, "Plan B," a contraceptive pill for her to take after concerns she might become pregnant.

The girl told deputies Smith would pick her up from school in the middle of the day to engage in sexual intercourse.

“During the investigation, deputies recovered an empty emergency contraceptive box, growth supplements, a box of pregnancy tests (with only one test remaining), and an empty condom wrapper (to which Smith had access),” a press release states.

Deputies said they also confirmed school records showing when Smith took the victim out of school early.

"Michael Smith is a child molester and he has no idea the amount of long-term damage he caused to this young girl,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “We will do everything we can to limit his access to children in the future. With him behind bars, we hope she can move forward, put this abuse behind her, and get the help she needs."

Smith, who does not a criminal history, remains in the Polk County jail on bond.

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