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Written by: E. George
Published October 25, 2024 @ 11:50 AM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding alleged sexual violence against children.
ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – A Conyers man was arrested and charged with aggravated child molestation on August 10, 2024, for alleged crimes involving his juvenile stepdaughter. The investigation began on May 16, 2023, after the victim disclosed the sexual abuse to her teacher when she discovered a troubling drawing in her notebook.
A Rockdale County Sheriff’s deputy responded to Edwards Middle School and interviewed witnesses regarding an eighth-grade student who told her language arts teacher that her mother’s husband, Travis Ward, had been sexually molesting her since she was 11 years old. School counselors and social workers explained that while the teacher was collecting notebooks, a student warned her not to look at the back of the victim’s book.
The teacher turned it over and observed a disturbing drawing. When she asked the victim about it, she said, “That is what my mother’s husband does to me.” The victim said she had wanted to tell someone about the crimes since the past school year but did not.
She added that her stepfather entered her bedroom the previous night while she was trying to sleep and attempted to kiss her. She said he had been physical with her on three separate occasions and that the abuse began when she was only 11.
The victim also informed officials that she had reported the abuse to her mother, who confronted her stepfather. When he denied the accusations, she said her mother believed him and said, “Her stepfather would never hurt his daughter.”
This case is pending.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On 5/16/23 at about 1320 hours I was on duty at Edwards Middle School. While there I received a call from Principal [REDACTED], she told me the the principal of Ray Davis, Mr. [REDACTED] would like for me to come there regarding a 8th grade female student who disclosed to her teacher that her stepfather has been sexually molesting her.
On my arrival I met with Mr. [REDACTED] who escorted me to the counselor’s suite, there I met with Ms. [REDACTED] school social worker, Ms. [REDACTED] and Ms. [REDACTED] school counselors. Ms. [REDACTED] stated the following.
She stated that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] (Victim) was in Ms. [REDACTED] Language Arts class, while the teacher was in the process of collecting note book from [REDACTED BY AGENCY], another student said to her do not look at the back of the notebook. This statement caused the teacher to look at the back of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] note book, there she saw a drawing that was concerning. Ms. [REDACTED] asked [REDACTED] to explain the meaning of the drawing when she told the teacher that is what my mothers’ husband does to me.
[SECTION REDACTED BY AGENCY]
Ms. [REDACTED] further stated that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] told Ms. [REDACTED] that she is only active with her mother’s husband and that she wanted to disclose everything to her since last school year but she just did not. Student was taken to the counselors suite where she further disclose that last night while she was trying to sleep her step father came into her room and tried to kiss her, [REDACTED BY AGENCY]
[REDACTED BY AGENCY] The student also disclosed to the counsellors that on three different ocassions the stepfather has been physcial with her, [REDACTED BY AGENCY], and this started when she was 11 years old. Student told counselors she told her mother prior, when he was confronted he denied it and her mother said her step father would never hurt his daughter.
[End of Narrative]