A homeless man was arrested for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old at a Georgia park after giving her a liquid that made her feel dizzy, according to police.
The Cobb County Police Department said the incident occurred at about 6 p.m. at the Shaw Park in Marietta on Saturday, Jan. 21.
Police said the girl was walking in the woods of the park when 62-year-old Douglas Darch approached her and offered her a water bottle.
Although the bottle appeared to be unopened, the girl told police that she started to feel “dizzy and tingly” after drinking from it. Darch then allegedly pulled out a knife, threatened the girl, and molested her.
It’s unclear why the girl was walking by herself in the park or what was in the bottle. Police are withholding information about the child’s condition in order to protect her identity.
He was booked into the Cobb County Jail on numerous charges including felony aggravated child molestation, terroristic threats, child cruelty, and aggravated assault, according to online records. Darch is being held without bail.
Visitors to Shaw Park told Michele Newell of WSB-TV that they were shocked to find out about the alleged incident.
“I was surprised that that had happened but thinking about the layout of this whole complex here, it really isn’t surprising in this day and age,” said Janis Kelley.
“I hate to hear anybody is hurt let, let alone a child,” said Robin Etaas, who added that she was so disturbed by the incident that it upset her playing pickleball at the park.
Here’s a local news report about the incident:
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