Man charged with molestation
TUNNEL HILL, Ga. – A man from Tunnel Hill was arrested after a preteen girl told police she was forced to place her hand on the man’s penis.
Ralph Merrill, 47, who was a family friend of the victim, was charged with child molestation and is in custody at the Catoosa County Jail, Catoosa Sheriff’s Office Capt. Chris Lyons said.
The incident allegedly took place between August and December at the victim’s house in Tunnel Hill, Lyons said. Police began to investigate after the mother complained, and Merrill then admitted some of the allegations, he said.
Merrill’s criminal record in Catoosa County shows only a family violence-related charge that later was dismissed.
Woman saved from fire dies
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