Update: Petting zoo has shut down and moved on to Birmingham. Was in Jasper last week. Also police say a second incident may have occurred with another employee.
Daryl V. Raymond Jr. Of Stockholm, Maine. Picture courtesy of Shoalanda Speaks.
FLORENCE, AL- Florence Police Detectives have arrested Daryl V. Raymond, Jr, 48, of Stockholm, Maine, following reports alleging that he abused two (2) children at a traveling petting zoo in Florence.
Raymond, who is an employee of Jungle Safari, was taken into custody without incident this morning. He was interviewed by detectives and subsequently arrested. The owner of the zoo said Raymond is, “Feeble minded.”
He is charged with two (2) counts of Sexual Abuse of a Child under the Age of Twelve, a Class B Felony.
Raymond is currently being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center. No bond has been set.
*All Suspects Are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty*
The owner/operator of the Petting Zoo has advised Chief Ron Tyler that he will be closing the petting zoo here in Florence and preparing to move on early to his next location.
