Date: 04-14-02 05:51
Girl, 9, charged with sexual assault
By Associated Press, 1/11/2002 14:17
MANCHESTER, Conn. (AP) A 9-year-old girl has been arrested on sex charges, perhaps the
youngest suspect ever to face such charges in Manchester, local police say.
The elementary school student was charged last week with fourth-degree SEXUAL ASSAULT, a
misdemeanor, and three counts of risk of injury to a minor, a felony, said Manchester
police Sgt. John Maston.
If convicted on all four charges, the girl, who was not identified by police, could face
up to four years at a state juvenile facility.
Maston would not discuss specifics, but said the girl denies the allegations.
''Because she's in denial, we want to show her the seriousness of what happened, and to
get her to open up,'' Maston said.
The alleged incident occurred in the fall, when the girl and three other children a
3-year-old boy and two girls, 4 and 5 were playing in a bedroom, Maston said.
The girl is charged with initiating sex between the younger children and then with her,
Maston said.
The alleged incident was discovered by a parent of one of the younger children, Maston
said.
The parents of the three alleged victims asked police to investigate, he said.
The girl lives with her mother, who placed her in a counseling program, Maston said.
''I'm confident that mom is doing the appropriate stuff so there's no danger to other
children,'' he said.