A 66-year-old man has been arrested on multiple charges after allegedly engaging in inappropriate behavior with children at a residential condo building in Aventura. Steven Gettis faces accusations of lewd conduct, exhibitionism, and luring minors. The incidents reportedly occurred between last August and February, involving several young victims aged 6 to 15 who reside in the same complex. Authorities believe his actions were deliberate and aimed at sexual gratification, highlighting a concerning pattern of behavior targeting children in areas meant to be safe environments.
According to law enforcement reports, Gettis's troubling interactions began last summer when he approached two teenagers near the community pool area. During this encounter, he initiated an uncomfortable conversation about a scar located on his groin, eventually exposing himself to show it. Months later, similar incidents unfolded as Gettis continued to engage in unsettling conversations and physical contact with other minors within the building’s facilities. These included attempts to solicit personal information from younger boys playing sports and touching girls under the pretense of offering assistance during gymnastic activities.
The allegations reveal a disturbing sequence of events where Gettis exploited opportunities to interact with unaccompanied children. For instance, he allegedly recorded two preteen boys without consent while asking intrusive questions before making suggestive comments about potential injuries to his groin region. Another time, he invited them over for pizza, encouraging secrecy regarding the meeting. Meanwhile, encounters with female minors involved inappropriate physical touches disguised as instructional help, which were witnessed by both peers and surveillance cameras.
Law enforcement officers concluded that Gettis demonstrated a clear preference for interacting with children in settings designed to ensure their safety but away from parental supervision. His actions consistently crossed boundaries, often masked by seemingly innocent pretexts like teaching dance moves or discussing scars. Based on these findings, investigators determined that his intentions were sexually motivated, leading to his arrest on numerous serious charges.
Steven Gettis was taken into custody following the investigation, though details about legal representation remain unavailable at this time. This case underscores the importance of vigilance in safeguarding children, particularly in communal spaces where they might feel secure yet remain vulnerable to predatory behavior.