Man facing rape, other charges after sheriff's office said he assaulted children
An Opelousas man is facing multiple charges after the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office said he sexually assaulted two children.
Emery Savoy Jr. was charged with first-degree rape, two counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile and two counts of second-degree battery.
The 54-year-old denied the allegations, according to the sheriff's office.
First-degree rape can be committed when a person over 65 is raped or when sexual intercourse takes place without consent because the victim is under 13, could not resist because of force, could not resist because of threats, could not resist because of physical or mental infirmity or when two or more offenders participate in the act, according to state law.
It carries a mandatory life sentence if convicted.
In other news: Lafayette jury finds man guilty of raping 10-year-old
A woman told the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office in July that Savoy was sexually abusing her 16-year-old child, spokesperson Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodeaux said in a release.
The child said they had been touched inappropriately over the years starting when the child was in middle school and said they were raped at one point. Investigators also said Emery had touched the genitals of a child under the age of seven, according to the release.
The abuse happened at Savoy's home, according to the release.
Savoy was questioned by detectives Monday and denied the abuse, according to the release. He was arrested and charged.
“Parents should question and talk to their kids periodically about things such as bullies, inappropriate sexual touching, sending nude photos over social media, and their well-being," St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said in a statement.
"No child should ever feel that they are alone," he added. "Too many times our kids do not reach out to anyone until it is too late.”
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This article originally appeared on Opelousas Daily World: Opelousas man facing charges after sheriff's office said he abused kids
