A scary new story Center for Investigative Reporting It revealed how far a Florida boy had to go to prove his own innocence, despite being a victim.

In 2016, 13-year-old Taylor Cadle mustered the courage to tell an adult about the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her uncle, Henry Cadle.

But when law enforcement interviewed him, they treated him like a criminal, as shown in the PBS News Hour clip.

Detective Melissa Turnage can be heard telling the teen, “If you’re angry about having your phone taken away, let’s just say it now and be done with it.”

“Do you want to go back and live in foster care? Because most likely if you get arrested they won’t let you stay there,” he continues.

Detectives determined Taylor had made it up and charged him with lying to law enforcement. She had to write letters of apology to her abuser and the sheriff and was sentenced to a year of probation.

Taylor contacted authorities again two months after the plea agreement. This time he gathered his own evidence.

“He reported that he was driving his truck when he went off the road that afternoon and secretly videotaped him.” Notebook.

The teenager was photographed exposing himself in the open passenger door, with his lower body visible in the picture. He continued to secretly take photos while harassing her, The Ledger reported.

Taylor also led law enforcement to two condoms that her abuser had thrown out the window.

Finally, in 2017, Henry Cadle was sentenced to 17 years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor.

The horrific story has sparked scrutiny of Polk County’s longest-serving sheriff, Grady Judd, who was beloved for his tough-on-crime rhetoric and extensive media presence.

“As you know, one of my top priorities is taking care of the children,” Judd said. said in 2020After receiving a presidential appointment from Donald Trump to oversee programs related to missing and exploited children.