Man arrested, accused of molesting an 11-year-old boy

By Navideh Forghani nforghani@nbcaugusta.com
Story Published: Jul 2, 2008 at 9:32 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 2, 2008 at 9:32 PM EDT

It's something no parent wants to hear, their child telling them someone sexually abused them. But one Augusta mother says those are the words she woke up to this morning. Deputies arrested a man accused of molesting the woman's 11-year-old son.

Edwin Hernandez is behind bars, and accused of molesting an 11 year old boy!

Richmond County investigators were called out to a home on Heather's Way in South Augusta early Wednesday morning. The child's mother called 911 after her son told her Hernandez performed a sex act on him. She then chased him out of her home with a knife.

A neighbor says Hernandez ran into a wooded area off Tobacco Road. That's when Richmond County’s Special Operations team and Road patrol set up a search area for several hundred acres. After a hours of searching, Richmond County's tracking team found Hernandez. Crime Suppression officers took him into custody.

Investigators say Hernandez came to Augusta from Florida Tuesday night with a girlfriend to visit relatives in the Augusta area. Officers say, as far as they know, Hernandez doesn't have a history.

"It's well documented that those convicted of child molestation have a long list of victims that have gone unreported prior to them being arrested for whatever charge," said Lt. Scott Peebles, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Law enforcement agencies in Florida have been notified and are looking into his past. Investigators also NBC Augusta Hernandez is here illegally from Guatemala. Richmond County investigators have also been talking with immigration officials.

http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/crime/22846494.html