PROCTORVILLE – A Proctorville area resident remains in Lawrence County Jail this week on charges of rape after an incident involving an 8-year-old village resident.

Wednesday, May 31, 2000

PROCTORVILLE – A Proctorville area resident remains in Lawrence County Jail this week on charges of rape after an incident involving an 8-year-old village resident.

A preliminary hearing for Leonard R. Dement Jr., 100 County Road 12, Proctorville, is set for 10 a.m. Friday in Lawrence County Municipal Court. Dement’s arraignment was Friday and bail was set at $100,000, a spokesperson for the court said.

Proctorville police officers were alerted to the incident after a neighbor and the 8-year-old girl’s mother filed a report May 23, Proctorville Police Chief Boyd Blake said.

"We took the initial call from the neighbor of the child," Blake said. "It appears (Dement) approached her and her little brother."

The two children allegedly went with the suspect to the BP gas station on Ohio 7 to purchase a can of soda. After the brother left, the girl followed the suspect behind Kroger’s, according to police reports.

"The mother, she walked down there and found her bike by the campgrounds," Blake said. "I guess she spooked the subject off. The girl went to her mom and told her what happened."

Blake and Proctorville patrolman Valerie Penick questioned the suspect the night of the incident. An arrest was made the next day, Blake said.

Although the crime of rape is uncommon to the Proctorville area – this is the first incident of which Blake is aware – there are simple steps parents can take to protect their children in the future, Blake said.

"Know where they’re at at all times," he said. "If they are out playing, keep a close eye on them. Keep them in an area where you can see them. If they happen to go out of sight, go with them or have them go with someone you trust."

And if a child does end up on his or her own, parents should make sure their child knows what to do when a stranger approaches, Blake said.

"The child should ignore (strangers) and keep walking," he said. "They also should know to tell the parent what happened when they get home."

Investigators for the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office Sexual Abuse Task Force are handling the case.