Man charged with child molestation
Published Tuesday, August 12, 2008
NATCHEZ — The Adams County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man for two counts of sexual battery and one count child molestation.
A mother and her 13-year-old daughter reported to the sheriff’s office on July 1 that the young girl was being sexually abused by her mother’s ex-husband.
Allegedly, the abuse has been going on for four years, Sheriff Ronny Brown said.
“We referred her to (the Department of Human Services) and they assigned a counselor through youth court,” Brown said. “After she went to the counselor, DHS advised us to let the mother file charges.”
Brown said Uthaw Ellis Turner, 36, 15 Rolling Hills Drive, Natchez, was arrested Monday morning at his job location.
Turner’s bond has been set at $55,000.
Youth Court Judge John Hudson said the involvement of DHS and the youth court is solely for the protection of the child’s wellbeing.
“Even though the criminal court is certainly concerned with the wellbeing of the child, it’s not its only concern. It’s the youth court’s only concern,” Hudson said.
He said their concern includes protecting a child from their abuser and also offering counseling.
“There might be some kind of extended treatment,” he said.
Though the abuse reportedly has gone on for four years, and the charges are just now being filed, Hudson said that isn’t atypical of these cases.
“Statistically, when you look at it, it’s not uncommon for there to be allegations of abuse made long after it’s been going on,” he said.
