Dexter, Mo., man charged with statutory rape, child molestation

DEXTER, Mo. -- A 35-year-old Dexter man is in Stoddard County Jail today, charged on suspicion of molesting a 3-year-old girl.

Chris Abernathy has admitted to molestation allegations, according to the Dexter Police Department.

In a report from Dexter police Detective Lt. Trevor Pulley, Abernathy admitted to the charges of molestation during an interview on Wednesday.

According to Pulley, the victim was 2 years old at the time of the alleged molestation.

Abernathy, housed at the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department in Bloomfield, Mo., is charged with first-degree statutory rape and first-degree child molestation.

A $75,000 cash-only bond was set for Abernathy.