A Houston man faces a felony charge after allegedly illegally touching a young girl in April.
Following a Houston Police Department investigation, Edward L. Durbin, 55, of 1202 John St., is charged with third-degree child molestation – child less than 14 years of age.
According to a probable cause statement, an officer responded April 29 to a Houston residence regarding a report of a possible child molestation. The officer made contact with a 13-year-old girl there who stated she had been babysitting at her mother’s Augusta Street home earlier that day, and a man who was family friend was also there doing laundry. The officer made contact with the girl’s grandmother, who gave consent for the girl to be questioned.
After an investigation, the officer determined the man, Durbin, had apparently inappropriately touched the girl.
The officer made contact with the Durbin at his home about 8:40 p.m. He was taken to the Texas County Sheriff’s Department for questioning. After being read his Miranda rights, he requested a lawyer.
An interview was conducted with the girl on May 7 at the Child Advocacy Center in West Plains. The officer noted that the girl’s story was the same during that interview as when he had questioned her.
Durbin is jailed on $250,000 bond following an indictment Aug. 20 by a county grand jury.