Morley man arrested on charges of child molestation

BENTON, Mo. -- A Morley, Mo., man was arrested after a sexual assault investigation.

Eddie S. Hamblin, 39, of Morley is charged with two counts of first-degree child molestation and one count of first-degree statutory sodomy.

According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, the Missouri Children's Division contacted his office Jan. 29 after the victim disclosed alleged abuse to a forensic interviewer at the Beacon Health Center.

Detective Branden Caid, who worked with the Missouri Children's Division, investigated the case, which led to Hamblin's arrest Feb. 21.

According to a probable-cause affidavit filed by Caid, Hamblin "knowingly had sexual contact" with the victim on two occasions.

The victim, who is now 14 years old, said the first instance occurred when she was about 3 years old and the second when she was about 10, Caid wrote.

Hamblin was arrested in 2002 on suspicion of failure to return rental property and was arrested in 2003 on suspicion of nonsupport; both cases have been closed or dismissed, according to the probable-cause affidavit.

Hamblin was released from the Scott County Jail after posting a $20,000 surety bond on the condition he have no contact with minor children, online records show.

His arraignment is scheduled for March 19 before Judge Scott Horman.