July 16, 2020 at 2:10 p.m.
Harshaw man charged with child sexual assault
Harshaw man charged with child sexual assault
According to a criminal complaint filed July 10, the six-year-old alleged victim told a family member that Jeffery Lee Mullen touched her inappropriately while she and her 7-year-old friend were visiting his home. The family member relayed the child's report to the child's mother, who contacted the Oneida County Sheriff's Department.
During an interview with a trained Child Advocacy Center staff member, the alleged victim repeated that an assault took place while she was having a sleepover at Mullen's house with her friend.
While the two children were lying on a bed playing with a tablet computer, Mullen joined them, the child reported. Mullen slid his hand under the blanket the two children were under and touched the 6-year-old inappropriately, she stated.
According to the complaint, the child told her friend about the touching during the play date.
The other child confirmed the story to police, the complaint states.
When interviewed by sheriff's department detectives, Mullen initially denied being on the bed with the two children but later admitted to lying on the bed with the two. He steadfastly denied touching the child inappropriately, according to the criminal complaint.
Mullen made his first appearance in Oneida County Circuit Court July 10 at which time a $10,000 cash bond was set with the condition that he have no contact with minors unless their parents are present. He was back in court Monday for adjourned initial appearance at which time a preliminary hearing was scheduled for July 23. Mullen is represented by public defender Mary Burns.
If convicted of the class B felony, he faces up to 60 years in prison.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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