Jefferson City man charged with raping a 7-year-old girl
A Jefferson City man is charged with statutory rape.
The 7-year-old victim told police Javaughn Hodges raped her multiple times starting back in August 2013. She also told police the last time it happened was after the end of school in May this year.
The alleged abuse happened in the 1000-block of Elizabeth Street.
A mother to 7 children lives just down the street, and was shocked when she heard the news.
“It makes me feel a little insecure and that it’s unsafe for my children,” said Anita Witherspoon.
Witherspoon said almost everyone that lives in her neighborhood has children and that she is very cautious with who her children talk to.
“If my kids go to the mailbox or something like that then don’t talk to anybody.”
All neighbors ABC 17 talked to said they feel horrible for the family and what they went through. Court documents said Hodges also had chlamydia and gave the STD to the child.
“I pray for you and your situation and I’m sorry it happened to you,” said Witherspoon.
Hodges was arrested at the America’s Best Value in on Jefferson Street, where he was staying at the time. He is being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond at the Cole County Jail.
