Two men were arrested on Wednesday on separate child sex abuse charges in south Volusia County. The first case occurred in Orange City, and the second in DeBary.
The first arrest occurred in Orange City, with 32 year-old suspect Jacob Bloom. According to a Thursday release from the Volusia Sheriff's Office, Bloom is accused of sexually abusing a 6 year-old girl for multiple years. There was some connection between Bloom and the victim, but police are keeping it under wraps for the time being.
Bloom is charged with capital sexual battery on a victim under 12. According to the VSO, Bloom also sexually abused infants in Flagler County when he was 13 years old, almost 20 years prior. Deputies are asking anyone with further information about potential other instances of abuse involving Bloom to contact the agency's child exploitation unit at (386) 323-3574.
The second arrest on Wednesday involved 76 year-old Daniel Tillis, a DeBary resident. Tillis was charged with lewd/lascivious molestation of a victim under 12. Like in the case with Bloom, the VSO has confirmed the child knew Tillis but is not stating what the relation was at this time.
In addition to the juvenile, two adults have come forward to accuse Tillis of abusing them when they were kids. Tillis is the owner of the local Tillis Pest Control, and since his business involves entering clients' homes the VSO is asking area residents to contact them if they suspect there may have been an inappropriate encounter between him and a juvenile in their home. As with Bloom, the best number to be called for this purpose is (386) 323-3574.
Both Bloom and Tillis are at the Volusia County Branch Jail with no bond as of Thursday afternoon.
