United States: A homeless man kidnapped and raped a girl inside a bathroom at a popular Georgia park on Mother’s day, as per the authorities on Friday.
The 33-year-old Austin Stovall was arrested Wednesday in Sunday’s shocking attack at Swift-Cantrell Park in Kennesaw, as per the Georgia police officials.
Police Chief William Westenberger mentioned in the statement on Friday, “First, my thoughts are with the victim and their family following this egregious incident. This is something that no juvenile should ever have to experience.”
Moreover, the attack marked the “first incident like this” to occur in the 130-acre park outside Atlanta that features playgrounds, trails as well as picnic pavilions, Westenberger stated.
The chief said, “We take our oath to protect and serve very seriously. The suspect was identified and apprehended as well as will now be held accountable for his actions.”
The man, Stovall, the homeless man in Cobb County jail records, was charged with multiple felony counts, including rape, aggravated sexual battery, kidnapping as well as false imprisonment.
In addition, the police officer stated that he called a girl who was less than the age of 16 over to his car and threatened to “hurt her” if she did not follow him to a men’s restroom in the park, as per to a Cobb County arrest warrant noted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The 33-year-old Stoval allegedly forced the girl into a corner inside the facility and raped her, as outlined in the warrant. The victim’s age has not been disclosed yet.
Stovall has a lengthy criminal history that includes multiple convictions as well as prison sentences. He was detained in July in Cherokee County, where he was charged with DUI, obstruction, as well as other counts, as per the Journal-Constitution.
Furthermore, he remained held without bond on Friday. He has yet to hire a lawyer who could comment on his behalf, as highlighted in the jail records.
