Palm Harbor Child Sex Battery Case: Investigators Seek Help

Investigators with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office now say Walter Hutton, who was arrested Saturday on charges of committing sexual battery against a 5-year-old girl in a Palm Harbor home, also went by the name of Hamilton Hutton. Detectives also now think there may be more victims in connection with the case.

"It is possible that law enforcement contacted him in the past under a different name he used," Pinellas County Sheriff's Detective Jennifer Zinge said.

Investigators say Hutton inappropriately touched the girl when she was in his care at a residence in Palm Harbor. The child reported the incident to a family member, who then told the girl's mother.

The mother contacted the sheriff's office on June 17, prompting an investigation. The sheriff's office learned the 27-year-old suspect would be returning to Pinellas County the next day. Deputies arrested Hutton during a traffic stop in Palm Harbor on June 18.

Investigators say Hutton lives in Orlando. They think there might be other victims in Pinellas County and the Orlando area. 

If you have information that you think might help investigators, contact Pinellas County Sheriff's Detective Jennifer Zinge in the Crimes Against Children Unit at 727-582-6200. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

Hutton is being held in the Pinellas County Jail, where he was booked on one count of felony sexual battery against a child younger than 12. A judge has not set bail for Hutton.