Man arrested for sexual abuse of 6-year-old

By Matthew Penix
St. Tammany News
Published on Friday, January 23, 2009 1:19 AM CST

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A 56-year-old man was arrested and charged with sexually abusing a 6-year-old boy, a St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman said.

The man, whose identity is being withheld to protect the identity of the victim, was charged with sexual battery Jan. 16 after the boy told his mother about the alleged attack.

Investigators were notified and child welfare agents interviewed the boy, mother and accused attacker before arrest warrants were filed, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Capt. George Bonnett said.

The boy’s mother did not live with the man who was caring after her son.

The man has denied his involvement, Bonnett said.

If convicted, the man faces between 25 years and life in prison.

Sexual battery typically carries up to 10 years with or without hard labor, but it is drastically enhanced when a child under 13 is the victim, according to Louisiana law.

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