Posted 12:12 am Saturday, May 23, 2009
Mother, Son Arrested In Connection With Alleged Sexual Assault
By KELLY GOOCH
Staff Writer
EDITOR’S NOTE: It is the policy of the Tyler Morning Telegraph to not name victims of sexual abuse to protect their identities and encourage the reporting of such crimes.
JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville police have arrested a mother and her son in connection with a sexual assault case.
Staff Writer
EDITOR’S NOTE: It is the policy of the Tyler Morning Telegraph to not name victims of sexual abuse to protect their identities and encourage the reporting of such crimes.
JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville police have arrested a mother and her son in connection with a sexual assault case.
Detective Jason Price said Dickie Paul Bellanger, 21, Jacksonville, and his mother Candi Bellanger, 36, Jacksonville, were arrested about 6:30 a.m. without incident Friday.
Dickie Bellanger was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony, and two counts of injury to a child, a third-degree felony.
Candi Bellanger was charged with two counts of endangering a child by omission, Price said.
Candi Bellanger was charged with two counts of endangering a child by omission, Price said.
Everything started when a 1-year-old boy was brought to East Texas Medical Center-Jacksonville Tuesday due to bruising on his body, Price said.
While the child was at the hospital, Price said medical staff saw other injuries consistent with sexual assault.
While the child was at the hospital, Price said medical staff saw other injuries consistent with sexual assault.
Price said ETMC-Jacksonville notified police about the patient, and the child’s 2-year-old sibling was retrieved from her Jacksonville residence and examined.
“That child also showed evidence indicating sexual assault,” he said.
Child Protective Services were called and emergency placement was found for the children.
“That child also showed evidence indicating sexual assault,” he said.
Child Protective Services were called and emergency placement was found for the children.
Price said police searched the children’s Jacksonville residence Wednesday and obtained forensic evidence from the home.
“On that same day, we obtained a statement from Mr. Bellanger declining any wrongdoing,” he said.
Police generated enough probable cause to arrest Dickie Bellanger for allegedly sexually assaulting the children and had reason to believe Candi Bellanger “failed to remedy the situation or report it,” Price said.
Authorities said both victims allegedly were abused on multiple occasions this month.
Dickie Bellanger and his mother were arraigned by Judge Pete Menefee. Jacksonville police
Detective Travis Cearley served as the lead investigator in the case.
As of Friday afternoon, Candi Bellanger was in the Cherokee County jail and her son was in custody at the Jacksonville police department.
Dickie Bellanger’s bond was set at $2 million, and Candi Bellanger’s bond was set at $30,000.
“On that same day, we obtained a statement from Mr. Bellanger declining any wrongdoing,” he said.
Police generated enough probable cause to arrest Dickie Bellanger for allegedly sexually assaulting the children and had reason to believe Candi Bellanger “failed to remedy the situation or report it,” Price said.
Authorities said both victims allegedly were abused on multiple occasions this month.
Dickie Bellanger and his mother were arraigned by Judge Pete Menefee. Jacksonville police
Detective Travis Cearley served as the lead investigator in the case.
As of Friday afternoon, Candi Bellanger was in the Cherokee County jail and her son was in custody at the Jacksonville police department.
Dickie Bellanger’s bond was set at $2 million, and Candi Bellanger’s bond was set at $30,000.
