Manatee County Man Faces Charges Following Child Abuse Investigation
A Manatee County man has been arrested and charged following an investigation by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office into allegations of child sexual abuse dating back more than a decade.
According to court records, 56-year-old John Jay Showers faces charges including lewd and lascivious molestation and sexual battery by familial authority. Court records show Showers has entered a plea of not guilty, and an arraignment is scheduled for June 12.
Investigators said the case began in February when a 23-year-old man reported allegations involving incidents that allegedly occurred when he was between 11 and 15 years old. According to a probable cause affidavit, the man accused Showers of inappropriate conduct on multiple occasions while he was living in the home.
Detectives later monitored a phone conversation between the accuser and Showers as part of the investigation. Authorities said the call ended after the allegations were discussed.
During a subsequent interview with detectives, Showers reportedly declined to discuss the allegations further without legal representation.
The investigation expanded in April when a second individual, now 21 years old, came forward with allegations of similar conduct occurring during childhood, according to investigators.
An arrest warrant was issued, and deputies responded to Showers’ residence on April 17. Authorities said Showers initially refused to exit the home before deputies eventually entered the residence. He was transported to a hospital for medical treatment before being booked into the Manatee County Jail.
Investigators said the affidavit references additional concerns involving children previously in Showers’ care, although no additional disclosures were detailed in the public report.
Previous media reports from 2023 stated that Showers and his wife had adopted 14 children and had received recognition from the Safe Children Coalition in Sarasota related to adoptive family support.
