Pennington County (trfnews.i234.me) A man from St. Hilaire is charged in district court.
Christopher Allan Worley, 38, faces seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Court papers say the alleged victim was younger than 14.
The complaint was filed on February 11. Worley was arrested, according to the filing.
How the case began
Investigators say the case started with a January report from Sanford Health. The report came from an emergency room visit, according to the complaint.
Law enforcement then requested help from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The BCA reviewed evidence and completed lab testing, court records say.
Evidence cited in court papers
The complaint says a medical exam found injuries that raised concern for abuse. The filing also says investigators collected clothing items for lab work.
A BCA report cited in the complaint says semen was found on the child’s clothing. The report says a male DNA profile matched Worley.
Investigators say the child stayed overnight at Worley’s home. The stay was between December 31 and January 1, court papers say.
The complaint says the child later reported sexual contact to a parent. Investigators also interviewed Worley, according to the filing.
He allegedly said he drank heavily that night. He told deputies he remembered little, the complaint says.
The filing says Worley provided a DNA sample. Prosecutors say the lab results support the felony charges.
What happens next
First-degree criminal sexual conduct is a serious felony in Minnesota. The law is outlined in Minnesota Statute 609.342.
Worley is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Charging papers are allegations and are not a conviction.
Future hearings will be scheduled in Pennington County District Court. Public court records can be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Resources
If you suspect child abuse, you can contact local authorities. You can also find help through Childhelp’s National Child Abuse Hotline.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.