“Predators start by gaining the family’s trust,” North Port man gets life in prison for sexually abusing two children

SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - A Sarasota County judge ruled that 66-year-old Douglas Selbee will spend life in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing two young sisters in North Port over the course of several years.

The oldest child faced sexual abuse for eight years, according to the State Attorney’s Office in Sarasota.

Back in November of 2022 the oldest child went to her parents and asked if they would protect her younger sister. That’s when the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office began investigating and arrested Selbee, charging him with:

• Three counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Child Under 12
• Two counts of Sexual Battery on a Child 12-18 by a Person in Familial/Custodial Authority
• Three counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Child 12-16
• Four counts of Lewd or Lascivious Conduct Upon a Child Under 16
• Two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition Upon a Child Under 16.

One of the charges describing the man as being a “familial/custodial authority” gives a glimpse into the situation. It shows that Selbee was not a stranger. In fact, he was close to the family.

Because of this, ABC7 wanted to speak with someone about how often children are abused by someone close to them. We spoke with Denni Martel, a Sexual Assault Services Victim’s Advocate at Centerstone in Bradenton.

Martel has been helping victims for the past 27 years.

Below is the full interview our reporter Sophia Vitello did over Zoom with Martel where she talks about child sexual abuse, warning signs that your child is in danger, and how to start a conversation with your child about predators.