By SYDNEY KENT
A man from Huntington, accused of molesting two young children in his care in May, has pled not guilty to the charges.
Braxton Watson, 21, is facing one count of child molesting, a Level 1 felony, and an additional count of child molesting at a Level 4 felony. If convicted, Watson faces up to 52 years in prison.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the charges were filed after a woman told police that Watson allegedly sexually abused her daughters while living in their home in Bluffton in April and early May. Watson is reportedly related to the children.
The woman explained that after he moved out, a family member notified her that Watson was accused of molesting children in Huntington. This prompted her to ask her daughters if Watson had ever touched them inappropriately. One of the children reported details of Watson molesting her and showing her his naked body.
When police informed Watson of the crimes he was being accused of, he reportedly responded, “OK.” Watson then denied the allegations and offered to take a lie detector test. He also offered that he was infected with a sexually transmitted disease and that the disease would have spread to the child from his fingers if the allegations were true.
During his initial hearing in late June, Watson entered a preliminary plea of not guilty. His bond is set at $30,000. A pretrial conference is scheduled in the matter at 1 p.m. on Aug. 28 in the Wells Circuit Court.
sydney@news-banner.com
