Children, dogs sexually assaulted
Des Moines, IA (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Aug 1, 2009
County: Polk
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Jacob Waters
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A 16-year-old Des Moines boy was charged this week with sexual abuse and bestiality after a police investigation.
Jacob Waters was arrested at the Regency Manor mobile home park, 7085 Bloomfield Road Saturday, Des Moines police said.
Waters sexually abused an unknown number of children, said police spokeswoman Sgt. Lori Lavorato.
"We think there are more [kids] that will be coming forward," she said.
Lavorato estimated the alleged abuse took place over the past year.
Waters is also accused of having sex with dogs at the Southside mobile home park.
Waters, who is being charged as an adult, faces two counts of third-degree sexual abuse, a charge of lascivious acts with a child, indecent exposure and bestiality.
Waters was being held in the Polk County Jail on $42,000 cash-only bond.
Case UpdatesResidents of a Des Moines mobile home park where a teenager allegedly sexually abused a child were outraged that such an act could occur in their south-side community.
Jacob Waters, 16, was arrested at Regency Manor mobile home park Aug. 1 after he allegedly sexually abused at least one child and had sex with at least one dog, police said.
Waters told the Department of Human Services that he sexually abused a boy six months go by rubbing the child's genital area, according to police reports.
The DHS passed the information to police.
Waters, who was charged as an adult, faces two charges of third-degree sexual abuse and single charges of lascivious acts with a child, indecent exposure and bestiality.
A judge also ordered Waters to stay away from minors.
Waters is being held at the Marshall County Jail, which has facilities for juveniles. A jail official said he is being segregated as part of the classification process for new inmates.
Des Moines police expect more children to come forward as the investigation continues, said Sgt. Lori Lavorato.
Children can be reluctant to come forward and sometimes won't tell their parents, she said.
The alleged abuse took place over the past six to eight months, she said.
Police were quiet about many of the details of the case, such as whether more than one child was involved and the victim's age.
"This is a very difficult investigation," Lavorato said. "I think all the families involved are grieving."
Waters had no prior record, according to court documents.
Residents at Regency Manor called the alleged crimes "sick" and "horrible."
"I was shocked," said Pat Jones, who lives in the park. "I hope they get him out - we don't need that.
Matt Grems, who lives near Waters' home, said the teen mowed Grems' lawn the day before being arrested.
"I'm flipping out because I've got a 10-year-old," he said. "I heard about it (Thursday) night and I couldn't even sleep."
Grems said he frequently saw the boy playing with younger children.
Grems estimated that at least 30 children live on the same road as Waters.
An employee at Regency Manor said the park was getting information from the police and was not allowed to comment. | Source: Des Moines Register - Aug 8, 2009
Update posted on Aug 10, 2009 - 12:45AM |
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