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Last updated on Monday, February 13, 2017
(BEDFORD) - Jury selection begins today for a Mitchell man accused of molesting two girls.
Lawrence County Superior Court I Judge Michael Robbins is presiding over the trial of 56-year-old Charles Parker Jr.
Parker, who was arrested on January 4, 2016, is facing a Level 4 felony charge of child molesting, a Class C felony, of Child molesting and a Class D felony of child solicitation.
According to Lawrence County Sheriff Mike Branham, police began investigating the allegations of child molesting after they were alerted by hospital staff at IU Health Bedford Hospital that they were treating a 4-year-old girl who had possibly been molested.
The girl was sent to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis for further examination while police spoke with medical staff members and some of the victim's relatives.
The Department of Child Services also was notified.
"The girl had been left with Charles Parker (a relative) while the rest of the family left the house for a couple of hours," Sheriff Branham says. "When they returned later, she made some comments about him touching her private areas."
According to Sheriff Branham, the next day when a family member was changing the girl's clothes they noticed some visible signs that something had occurred.
While police were investigating the allegations, they learned Parker had allegedly assaulted the girl's 11-year-old cousin.
The 11-year-old also was taken to Riley hospital for examination.
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