Lawrence man accused of molesting 11-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl

Douglas County prosecutors have filed three child sex-crime charges against a 39-year-old Lawrence man who is accused of molesting an 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl.

Prosecutor Amy McGowan, a chief assistant district attorney, filed two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and one count of attempted child rape against the man, who faces 25 years to life on each count if convicted.

Lawrence police arrested the man Tuesday evening after officers were called to Lawrence Memorial Hospital to speak to the boy’s mother. Police said Wednesday that the alleged incident occurred Monday in southern Lawrence, but officers were still investigating the case Wednesday.

New details emerged Thursday in the formal charges. McGowan alleged the man molested the boy Monday. The allegations involving the girl were more broad. Prosecutors allege he attempted to rape the girl and also molested her sometime between January 2008 and last weekend.

During a brief first appearance in court Thursday, the man said he had no criminal history and asked Judge James George, the county’s pro-tem judge, to reduce his bond, but George set it at $100,000.

“The charges are very serious,” George said. “They do carry substantial time in prison.”

The man is scheduled to appear in court next Thursday in front of District Judge Paula Martin.

The Journal-World generally does not identify sex-crime suspects unless they are convicted.