Child rape suspect faces 126 years
Four-year-old victim’s injuries recovering
Updated: Tuesday, 18 May 2010, 7:19 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 18 May 2010, 6:09 PM EDT
Kristin Maiorano
LOGANSPORT, Ind. (WLFI) - News Channel 18 is learning more information about the man suspected of raping a four-year-old girl in Logansport.
Logansport Police Chief A.J. Rozzi said 22-year-old William R Wilson II spent most of his life in the Fort Wayne area. He said Wilson was born in Arizona but moved to Indiana when he was a young child.
Cass county prosecutor Kevin Enyeart said Wilson recently lost his job and moved to Logansport to live with his father, in a home on seventh street.
Chief Rozzi said Wilson does have a previous record, but nothing related to child abuse or sexual crimes. He said Wilson had a couple of alcohol-related arrests, but no convictions.
Enyeart filed six felony charges against Wilson Tuesday. That includes two charges of molestation, one charge of burglary, one of criminal confinement and two charges of strangulation and battery on a child. If Wilson is convicted of all charges, he faces up to 126 years in prison.
Chief Rozzi said the four-year-old victim was in the Logansport police office earlier today. He said she’s doing very well, considering the circumstances, and physically she is looking much better.
Benefit planned for rape victim
Organizers seek volunteers, donations
Updated: Wednesday, 26 May 2010, 6:52 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 26 May 2010, 6:17 PM EDT
Aaron Leedy
LOGANSPORT, Ind. (WLFI) - Jeremy Byrd and Josh Vernon are mapping out plans for a benefit event set to take place in June for the four-year-old Logansport girl who was taken from a home and sexually assaulted in a garage earlier this month.
A silent auction, food and games are scheduled. Byrd said hopefully kids will have fun and learn something as well.
“If we could get the message out to the parents and maybe the kids could learn something that not all bad guys are dressed in black. What to look for and things like that, especially with the community watch program,” said Byrd.
Byrd, a father of three and Vernon, a father of four, said what happened to the four-year-old hits home.
“I have four children and for something like that to happen here, as a father, you think to yourself ‘How can I help? or What can I do to help,” said Vernon.
“Both my daughters are young. The thought of something like that happening to them disgusts me and I wanted to help. There wasn’t much I could do and this made me feel like I was helping the family out,” said Byrd.
On June 12th Riverside Park will be filled with local bands, guest speakers, games and food. Both Byrd and Vernon said the event has already exceeded their expectations.
“It’s beyond how big we thought it would be. It’s really huge. Hopefully we can raise some money from the girl and her family,” said Vernon.
Money raised will be given to the girl’s family to help with medical expenses and other costs associated with her recovery.
“We’d like to make some money for the little girl and her family, but most of all we want to promote awareness and prevention methods,” said Vernon.
The ‘Keep the Children Safe’ event is June 12 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Riverside Park in Logansport
Anyone wishing to help out can call Jeremy Byrd at 765-532-4058.
Donations are also being accepted through a fund set up at Security Federal Savings Bank. Anyone wishing to donate can visit a branch location.
Byrd said so far many local businesses have donated food and prizes. He credits the work the city has done to help with the event as well.