My Story By Ingrid Perez

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Jose Perez

I have a tragic story that I would like to tell America. I am 14 years old and my very own flesh and blood raped me, my dad.

Those are the strong and painful words from one of the bravest of survivors. Ingrid Perez has a powerful story to tell. She longs to bring to justice the man who she says took her innocence away and the man cops say sexually assaulted her.

In December 2004, Ingrid was living with her father and three brothers in Miami Beach, Florida, until the night cops say Ingrid's father - Jose Antonio Perez - sexually assaulted her.

Growing up, Ingrid lived a happy life - traveling all over South America and the Caribbean with her father and older brothers.

When I look back at the memories, I would cry and look at all the good times that we had. My mom died when I was three, and my babysitter became my mom six months later. She divorced my dad after two kids and nine years of marriage because she realized what kind of man Jose Perez was and still is -- a sexually sick minded man.

In December 2004, after a night of partying and drinking - a regular occurrence in the Perez household - Ingrid went to her room to go to bed, cops say. But, a few hours later, Ingrid woke up and her father was in her room. Cops say what happened next is one of the most tragic crimes in America.

I heard somebody come into my room. He had a knife and he started touching me. As much as I tried to break away, I couldn't. I screamed, he covered my mouth. I kicked, he molested me harder.

I remember his exact words, "You are my daughter. I created you. I can do whatever I want to you." As I lay there with this despicable man on top of me that I once called Daddy, I had those words echoing through my head, waiting for the nightmare to be over.

Young Survivor Reaches Out For Justice

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Jose Perez may be hiding out on a sailboat like this.

I called the police and they got everybody out of the house. I saw my father in the kitchen and he said, "What did you do?" He acted like it was my fault. I ran out the door and that was the last time I ever saw him.

Charged with sexual battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, Jose Perez was arrested, only to be released a short time later on just $5000 bail.

Jose Perez is an avid sailor and may be traveling the surfing circuit. He is from Venezuela and speaks Spanish.