Man arrested on child molestation charge

A Cape Girardeau man was in jail Tuesday on a charge of child molestation.

Joseph F. Crawford, 44, was charged with first-degree child molestation, a Class B felony, a Cape Girardeau police spokesman said Tuesday.

Cpl. Darin Hickey of the Cape Girardeau Police Department said about 4 p.m. Monday, Division of Family Services investigators contacted police about a call that had come in on a child-abuse hotline.

Officers arrived to find the alleged victim -- a girl younger than 14 years old -- and her parents at the scene, Hickey said.

"Through our investigation and speaking with the victim, a subject was arrested and taken into custody," he said.

Crawford, who was known to the alleged victim, is being held on a $50,000 cash or surety bond, with the condition that he have no contact with any child younger than 17, Hickey said.

If convicted, Crawford faces up to 15 years in prison.

Anyone who suspects a child is being abused can call the Missouri child abuse and neglect hotline at 800-392-3738.