A longtime area foster parent is behind bars for allegedly sexually abusing a 16-year-old female in his care.
Clarence James Stockman, 42, turned himself in Thursday afternoon to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said. He is charged with sexual battery.
The investigation began Aug. 11 when Stockman and the teen were reported missing. The teen was found nine days later in Oktibbeha County, and Hawkins said Stockman resurfaced shortly after.
During a forensic interview at Sally Kate Winters, the teen disclosed Stockman sexually battered and violated her while she was in his care in Lowndes County, a sheriff’s office press release said.
After a warrant was issued for his arrest, Stockman went on the lam again, Hawkins told The Dispatch. Stockman was accompanied by an attorney when he surrendered to deputies Thursday, Hawkins said.
“Stockman is a child predator and was in a position of trust as a foster parent,” Hawkins wrote in the press release. “Stockman is now going to be held accountable for violating this innocent teenager. We will do everything in our power to ensure he never has access to children again.”
Stockman is being held in Lowndes County Adult Detention Center awaiting his first court appearance.
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