PANAMA CITY BEACH — A Tennessee man has been charged with lewd and lascivious conduct after a police investigation into several accusations of inappropriate behavior toward children, officials announced Thursday.
Thomas Baughman, 55, was arrested Wednesday at about 8 p.m. after an investigation into several reports of inappropriate behavior with children at the Sandpiper Beacon Resort, 17403 Front Beach Road.
One parent told police she saw Baughman kiss her 7-year-old son and groped his genitals before calling law enforcement, according to Panama City Beach Police Department reports.
When questioned, Baughman denied the allegation, police said. But during his time with investigators, he made conflicting statements regarding the interaction with the child.
Baughman was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a person less than 12 years old. The investigation is ongoing.