Orangeburg County (WLTX) -- Orangeburg County deputies need your help finding a man they believe sexually assaulted a 10-year-old.
They say the incident occured in July between 33-year-old Maurice Duley and a young girl.
An incident report shows the 10-year-old victim in the case says it all happened in her Cordova home. It's unclear what her relation is to Duley, but the report suggests her mom was asleep in another room.
Spokesperson Keisa Peterson says they are unsure where Duley lives now, but that he's facing a serious charge.
"Mr. Duley asked a minor to perform a sex act on him in her home," said Peterson.
Peterson says Duley and the girl were standing in the girl's kitchen. "This is one of those incidents you don't want to read about. You don't want to hear about this for anyone in our community, but especially someone that young, that innocent."
Afterward, the incident report says the victim went to tell her mom, but Duley grabbed her arm. The report states the man said, "I will give you a dollar if you don't tell your mom."
The girl didn't take the deal, and eventually went to wake her mom up. The report says the girl stated she had something bad to tell her. The mom then called 9-1-1.
"It's important for parents to have an open dialogue with their children so they can feel comfortable communicating anything that has taken place that would be out of the regular," said Peterson.
Peterson says it's hard to imagine how the child is coping, but that an arrest is sure to help. "It's a part of the healing process to know that the justice system did not fail to bring that person in to answer to those charges."
Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC, or e-mail a tip in to www.midlandscrimestoppers.com. You can also text information in by texting "TIPSC" plus your message to CRIMES (274637). Either way you choose, your identity will remain anonymous, and you could be eligible for a cash reward.
10/30/2009 9:19:54 AM
