• Suspect allegedly abused victim for years.
Bladen County authorities have charged a Harrells area man with multiple sex offenses after he allegedly abused a family member for several years.
Joshua Poe Hatfield, 41, is being held under no bond in the Bladen County Detention Center. He is charges with statutory sex offense with a child, statutory rape, and sexual battery, according to the Bladen sheriff’s office.
In a press release, BCSO said the 911 center received a call in August about Hatfield allegedly abusing the victim. The victim, who is 17, said the abuse had occurred on a semi-regular basis for four years, up until earlier in the summer.
Detectives worked with a child advocacy center to investigate the case.
The investigation is ongoing, and more charges are possible.
