Newton County authorities have arrested a Branson man, 32-year-old Richard McCarley, on a felony charge of rape in connection with an incident reported in 2017 involving a then 12-year-old female.While the Newton County Sheriff’s Office website indicates McCarley is a Branson resident, the bench warrant provides an address in Alma in Crawford County.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed Wednesday, McCarley’s arrest Monday follows a woman reporting the alleged rape of her then 12-year-old daughter to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office in June 2017.
The woman told authorities the incident allegedly occurred two to three weeks earlier while her daughter was at a relative’s house in Mount Sherman in Newton County. She said she learned of the incident the previous day and was concerned the suspect would be leaving town.
In a written statement, the then 12-year-old said both her uncle and McCarley were in the residence where she was babysitting. Her uncle then went to work, and she asked McCarley if he could watch the baby while she took a nap.
She said just before she went to sleep, McCarley entered her room where the alleged rape occurred. She told law enforcement, McCarley then left the room, and she stayed there until her uncle returned.
The affidavit noted attempts had been made to locate McCarley since the incident was reported. However, according to all sources, he has been actively trying to evade law enforcement because he was aware of the allegations.
The amount of bond was not listed on the warrant or the affidavit.
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