KISSIMMEE, Fla. —

A 14-year-old girl was sexually battered by an Uber driver in Osceola County, Florida, deputies said.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office said the girl requested an Uber driver to pick her up Wednesday in Kissimmee. The driver, David Pena-Melo, of Kissimmee, picked up the girl and asked her to sit in the front seat, deputies said.

The girl told deputies that Pena-Melo began to make sexual advances during the ride and then drove past the requested destination.

Pena-Melo pulled over on the side of a road near a wooded area and forced the girl to perform a sex act, deputies said.

Detectives said they met with Pena-Melo on Thursday and arrested him on a charge of sexual battery on a person older than 12, but younger than 18.

When reached by WESH 2 News Friday, an Uber spokesperson issued the following statement:

“We are appalled by what’s been reported, and our thoughts are with the family. This driver has been banned from Uber."