Cape Girardeau man arrested for allegedly molesting 13-year-old

A Cape Girardeau man has been accused of molesting a 13-year-old girl.

According to Cape Girardeau Police Department spokesman Cpl. Adam Glueck, the mother and the victim reported the incident Friday. Police arrested Willard King, 71, the same day.

The incident allegedly took place Friday when the girl's mother left the residence to go shopping. According to a probable-cause statement filed by police officer Cary Dunavan, the mother returned to the residence to find her daughter visibly upset. That's when her daughter told her King had inappropriately touched her, Glueck said.

The victim told investigators King tried to rape her and her sister in the past and offered her money for sex. However, she declined to provide a written statement about those incidents, Dunavan said.

Police questioned King at his residence. He told police the victim said her neck was hurting and that he offered to rub it. King denied any inappropriate touching or comments, Dunavan said.

King is a registered sex offender in Missouri and was convicted of first-degree sexual misconduct in October 2007. He served 60 days in jail.

King is scheduled to appear in court at 2 p.m. Jan. 28. He remains in the Cape Girardeau County Jail on a $75,000 cash-only bond.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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