North Augusta community horrified over rape of 7-year-old girl

Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018

News 12 @ 6 O'clock / NBC 26 at 11

NORTH AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- A tragedy in an otherwise quiet community.

"As far as an abduction, an assault of this nature, that's, for the most part, been unheard of in the local area," said Sandy Haskell and Robin Harmon.

In a small drainage area near the intersection of Audubon Circle and Lehigh Avenue, behind a private fence, 18-year-old Andrew Todd is accused of committing sexual assault against a 7-year-old girl.

"I have never heard of an issue this serious in the neighborhood."

Sandy Haskell and Robbin Harmon are in charge of the local neighborhood watch. They say they were notified almost immediately and alarm bells went off.

"It's unexpected and unusual."

"Most people are concerned...upset."

The incident report from the Sheriff's Office says Todd left the scene and had to be tracked down to Georgia Avenue, where he was found by bloodhound teams. Neighbors in the area told News 12 Todd used to live with his family at Audubon Circle but was kicked out months ago and living in a tent miles away.

"It can happen anywhere. In any neighborhood. At any time. So we have to be vigilant."

Harmon says with two churches and a school nearby, people need to be more aware.

"Even if you're not part of the neighborhood watch, it's your responsibility as a member of the community to be aware of your surroundings."

The Belvedere-Ridge watch has 396 member homes. Both Harmon and Haskell say this will be a topic of discussion at the Neighborhood Watch meeting on Tuesday.

It is not clear what if there will be a response yet, but both families said they want to move forward in all of this. They have a little girl to think of and they are asking for privacy during this extremely difficult time.

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC -- (WRDW/WAGT) Aiken County authorities have arrested a local teenager and charged him with sexual assault in connection to the rape of a seven-year-old girl.

Investigators say it happened September 15th by a pond/drainage area off Audubon Circle near the intersection of Lehigh Avenue in Aiken County. According to the arrest warrant, 18-year-old Andrew Todd "admitted to the incident." During a search for the suspect, juvenile, forensics, and blood hound teams were requested to respond to the scene. North Augusta Public Safety officers located Todd walking on Georgia Avenue and apprehended him.

Todd is described in the incident report as being homeless. He is charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

Stay with News 12 NBC 26 on this developing story.