PALESTINE —
A 31-year-old Palestine man has been arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child after authorities say he impregnated a 14-year-old girl.
Willis Demond Carwell, 31, of Palestine was charged with the first-degree felony offense last week, according to Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor.
Carwell was released from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in January and on parole at the time of last week’s arrest, according to the sheriff.
Taylor said the alleged offense was first reported to authorities on June 6. Following an initial investigation, sheriff’s Sgt. Ronnie Foster obtained a warrant for Carwell’s arrest on Friday.
“We believe he (Carwell) had sex numerous times with a 14-year-old girl beginning in April 2012,” Taylor said. “We also believe she is pregnant.”
The sheriff said the alleged offense occurred “in the Neches area.
“Apparently, he was an acquaintance of the mother of this child,” Taylor said. “That’s how he got associated with the daughter.”
Taylor said representatives of Palestine Regional Medical Center contacted his agency after the girl went to that facility with an apparent urinary tract infection and was determined to be pregnant.
“The hospital contacted the sheriff’s office,” Taylor said, “and that’s how the investigation began.”
As of late Monday afternoon, Carwell was being held at the Anderson County Jail in lieu of a $150,000 bond, according to records.
Taylor said Carwell was also being held on “a blue warrant” for violating terms of his parole.
Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com
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