A man from Strong was arrested Monday for allegedly sexually abusing a girl under the age of 16 after her mother reported her missing early Monday morning from her home in Jay.
Michael Abbott, 22, was charged with misdemeanor sexual abuse of a minor, St. Laurent said.
Jay police had been investigating the missing-person report, but when the girl returned home early Monday, Lt. David St. Laurent and Franklin County Deputy Colt Bernhardt were called in to investigate the alleged sexual abuse.
St. Laurent said it appears that the girl sneaked out of her residence to meet Abbott, then went to his home in Strong. It is against the law to engage in a sexual act with someone aged 14 or 15 if the person charged with the assault is at least five years older than the minor.
Abbott was released Monday from Franklin County Jail on $150 cash bail.
He is scheduled to appear Nov. 24 in Farmington District Court, St. Laurent said.
A conviction on the charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Lauren Abbate — 861-9252
Twitter: @Lauren_M_Abbate
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