Area resident charged with rape, sodomy

A Jackson man was arrested Wednesday after being charged with first degree statutory rape and sodomy of a girl younger than 12 years of age.

Jackson police began an investigation Oct. 10 after the girl came forward about the alleged sexual abuse that occurred in 1999.

Bradley C. "Chris" Bollinger, 31, is in custody at the Cape Girardeau County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail.

The girl told investigators that it was while she was in Bollinger's care about three years ago that he fondled her and had sex with her, according to a probable cause statement by Lt. James Humphreys of the Jackson Police Department.

The girl was interviewed by detective Rhonda Westrich of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department, who specializes in child sex abuse cases. The girl was given a medical exam, which revealed the existence of scarring consistent with the type of abuse alleged, Humphreys said.

Humphreys said the fear and embarrassment of sexual abuse causes some victims to wait a long time before they finally seek help.

"A lot of people might be confused as to why she waited three years," Humphreys said. "We call this 'delayed disclosure,' and it happens a lot in sexual abuse cases, especially in little kids. They're too scared to come forward with the information while it is happening to them. But later, when the perpetrator is no longer living with them or in their life, they feel safe enough to come forward. People don't understand just how traumatic this kind of thing is for a young kid."

Bollinger was interviewed Oct. 16 by investigators. According to Humphreys' probable cause statement, Bollinger denied the allegations.

As of Wednesday, no date has been scheduled for Bollinger's next court appearance.

mwells@semissourian.com

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