MAN ARRESTED ON MOLESTATION CHARGE

A 38-year-old bus driver and custodian for Delta, Mo., schools was arrested Friday on charges for molesting three children during at least an eight-year period, a detective with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department said.

Roy Douglas Hess is charged with three counts of first-degree statutory sodomy for molesting his two sons and daughter beginning when they were 6 years old, said detective Lt. David James.

The accusations were reported to investigators this week after the daughter, who recently turned 18 and moved out of her father's house, explained what had happened to a friend, James said. She came with her friend to speak with deputies on Thursday.

The two teen-age boys, who were interviewed about the alleged molestations Friday, are in the protective custody of juvenile authorities, he said.

Investigators do not believe at this time that any other children were involved, James said.

Hess is in custody in the Cape Girardeau County Jail on a $100,000 bond.