Jackson man arrested on charge of molesting girl, 5

JACKSON, Mo. -- A Jackson man was arrested Wednesday, accused of sexually molesting a 5-year-old girl.

Joe Cecil Motley, 28, of 137 Lindsey is charged with a class B felony of child molestation for having sexual contact with a child under the age of 12.

The arrest stemmed from an incident in September 2000 in which the victim said she was molested while sleeping. Motley lived in Cape Girardeau at the time.

Police said he told them the contact was an accident and happened while he was playing with her by throwing her in the air and catching her.

A joint investigation by the Cape Girardeau sheriff's and Cape Girardeau police departments resulted in Motley's arrest.

Motley was being held Thursday in the Cape Girardeau County Jail in Jackson in lieu of $150,000 cash bond.