News Staff Report
A 54-year-old Atmore man remained in the county jail this week, faced with two charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of a child.
According to a press release issued last week by Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks, APD investigators arrested Lenson Lee Bethea on November 9 after an almost-two month investigation into the allegations.
Brooks said a parent of the child reported the sexual abuse in September. Police talked with both the child’s parents, then notified the Escambia County Department of Human Resources. DHR investigators contacted Escambia County Regional Child Advocacy Center, and a forensic interview was conducted with the young victim.
The results of that interview led to the securing of a warrant against Bethea, who is charged with one count each of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old and enticing a child for immoral purposes.
An employee of the Escambia County Detention Center’s booking and release division reported that Bethea is being held under a $250,000 bond.
DHR personnel and city police detectives continued this week their investigation into the situation, the police chief said.