Stoddard County prosecutor files more charges against man accused of molesting child

DEXTER, Mo. -- Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Briney Welborn has filed two new charges against the 64-year-old homeless man who admitted in July to sexually molesting a 7-year-old child in the home of a Dexter couple who took him into their residence.

Nathen Purdom was charged last month with one count of felony statutory sodomy in the first degree.

He now faces two additional counts of the same charge following further investigation by Dexter Police Department Det. Cory Mills, the Daily Statesman newspaper reported.

According to the warrant request issued by Welborn's office this week, there is probable cause to believe that between June 1 and July 16, Purdom was involved in deviate sexual intercourse with two other local children.

In Mills's probable cause statement filed July 27, Purdom is said to have admitted to sexually molesting two other girls, ages 8 and 9. The two are reportedly relatives of the 7-year-old Purdom was originally charged with molesting.

The initial charges were filed against Purdom after the 7-year-old child told her parents of several instances of molestation involving Purdom. At that time, Purdom was ousted from the home and police were notified. He was picked up within a short time following the call in close proximity to the home where he had been staying.

Upon conviction, the punishment for statutory rape is possible life imprisonment or a term of years not less than 5 years on each count.