COURTS: CHARGES ADDED IN KIDNAP CASE

JACKSON, Mo. -- A 23-year-old man accused of kidnapping and sexually abusing a 4-year-old girl now faces 11 possible life sentences on new charges filed Wednesday, the Cape Girardeau County prosecutor's office said.

Samuel J. Farrow Jr. of Jackson received additional charges of three counts of forcible sodomy and one count of forcible rape as he appeared before Associate Circuit Judge Michael Bullerdieck.

Farrow had been charged with nine criminal violations for the Nov. 2 abduction of a 4-year-old girl through the bedroom window of the trailer home where she lived with her family in Scott City, Mo. Six of the original charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Bullerdieck read the 13 revised charges to Farrow by request of his attorney, Al Lowes. Farrow acknowledged he understood the charges .A charge of third-degree assault was dropped.

A mental evaluation of Farrow will be conducted through the Missouri Department of Mental Health by request of prosecutor Morley Swingle. The purpose of the examination is to determine whether Farrow can assist in his own defense in court and if he was mentally fit at the time of the crimes, Lowes said. The examination should take place within the next 30 days, said Scott Lipke, assistant prosecutor.

With the addition of four counts of forcible sodomy and one count of forcible rape, the prosecutor stated that Farrow is alleged to have used forcible compulsion to sexually abuse the girl.