Unicoi County Sheriff's deputies arrested an Elizabethton man for rape of a child. Scott Lee Honeycutt confessed to raping a five-year old girl and indicated there may be more victims.
Of course, investigators say any single incident of sexual abuse or rape of a child is serious, but this one they described as heinous, occurring numerous times and over a long period. The latest incident they say was just Sunday.
A call to a Unicoi County case worker over the weekend revealed that a 26-year old man had access to a young child he is accused of molesting for a long time.
"This information developed from her investigation into what was alleged to have occurred over the weekend," said Investigator Ken Potter, Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department.
Scott Lee Honeycutt is charged with 30 counts of child rape. Investigators say Honeycutt confessed.
"In his statement to us, he said he had started a relationship with this girl when she was five which was fondling and doing other sexual things to her," said Potter.
Investigators say he looked for his victims within his family and that they don't believe he looked anywhere else like schools, playgrounds, or malls, but investigators believe it may have been a matter of time.
"If this hadn't been stopped when it did, it would have been gotten to get worse,” said Potter.
The relationship between the Honeycutt and alleged victim doesn't surprise Children's Advocacy Center Executive Director Kathy Roark.
"About 96 plus percent of the alleged offenders were parents, parent's relative, or someone the child knew, so that a very common thing," said Roark.
And neither does the victim's age.
"Children under age 6 are more likely to be sexually abused," said Roark.
Investigators say Honeycutt would stay with family members who had children.
"If the area was proper for him and he thought he can do it and get away with it, then he done it," said Potter.
A method professionals like Roark call grooming.
"It's sort of setting the child up and it goes one step, one step, one step further and further," said Roark.
Investigators say the victim is doing well. Child abuse experts say children can recover from abuse if they have a supportive caregiver who believes them and if they seek counseling.
Investigators say they expect to file additional charges. They say Honeycutt revealed three more victims ranging from ages three to eight.
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