A puppet show that helps children avoid inappropriate behavior led to the arrest of a Whiteville man on charges that he raped his own child.
TreQuail Javonne Rose, 24, of Nolan Avenue, is being held under $850,000 secured bond. He is charged with incest with a child under 13, first degree statutory rape, felony child sexual abuse, statutory sex offence against a child by an adult, and a felony probation violation. Rose was initially booked under $100,000 secured bond, but that was raised after an initial appearance in court today (Wednesday).
The sheriff’s office said deputies were contacted by the Department of social Service March 21 aboiut a possible rape of a minor child.
Detectives learned that the child participated in a puppet sho at school that is designed to help children identify, avoid and report inappropriate touching, according to a news release from the CCSO. The puppet show “encouraged children to always tell the truth in situations such as the one depicted,” the release said.
“following the puppet show the minior child felt compelled to share their experience with a trusted adult,” the release said. The victim told the adult that Rose, the child’s father, had raped the child when the youngster was between the ages of six and seven, and forced the child to perform other sex acts.
“The trusted adult sought medical advice for the child,” the release said, “to which the medical provider was a mandated reporter and contacted the proper authorities, leading to the start of this case.”
Rose was arrested after an extensive forensic investigation and medical examinations that indicated the child had been abused, the release said.
Sheriff Bill Rogers said in the release that his agency encourages parents/guardians to discuss this sensitive topic with their children beginning at an early age.
Below are some suggested guidelines for starting these conversations with your children:
- Use real terms with your children avoiding nicknames for their anatomy.
- Teach them that their body is theirs and they own it.
- Teach them to trust their feelings and instincts when something or someone makes them feel uncomfortable.
- Help them understand they can safely remove themselves from uncomfortable situations and immediately tell a trusted adult.
- Practice real life scenarios where your child may feel uneasy and what appropriate action they should take in those situations.
“If your child confides in you about inappropriate sexual contact, contact us immediately allowing us to assist you in these complex situations,” Rogers said.
