Arrest in rape of girl

A New Iberia man suspected of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old child is behind bars.

Charles Walls Jr., 27, of 620 Weeks St., was booked into the Iberia Parish Correctional Center Sunday. Walls has been charged with one count of aggravated rape but may face additional charges.

“The investigation is still ongoing at this time,” Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Wendell Raborn said this morning.

Investigators responded to a local hospital Sunday morning to investigate a report of criminal sexual misconduct involving a 6-year-old girl. They found that there had been inappropriate sexual contact between the child victim and a 27-year-old man, the sheriff’s office said. 

Investigators determined Walls was a friend of the victim’s family and had apparently sexually assaulted the victim while he was baby-sitting, according to the sheriff’s office.

Walls was taken into custody at a third party’s house without incident and questioned further by investigators, after which he was booked into the parish jail. 

Walls’ bond is set at $100,000, and the case has been referred to the 16th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review.