Hozell Terry

THOMASVILLE — A 50-year-old Thomas County man charged with four sex crimes involving a child was denied bond and remains behind Thomas County Jail bars.

The situation involving suspect Hozell Terry, 315 Merrillville Rd., came to the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office’s attention when the school the victim attends contacted law enforcement.

“The victim told another student,” sheriff’s office investigator Kevin Dennis said.

At the Treehouse, a facility for sexually abused children, the victim underwent a forensic interview and a forensic physical examination.

“The child said (Mr.) Terry had done inappropriate things to her,” Lt. Tim Watkins, sheriff’s office chief investigator, said. “There was some medical evidence that substantiated the child’s story.”

The victim is under 16, the age of consent. The incidents took place at a Thomas County residence.

Terry denied all allegations when questioned by investigators.

Based on physical evidence and the interview with the child, Terry was charged with aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, rape and sodomy.

Watkins said investigators are unsure of how long the activity had been under way.

“A similar complaint was made earlier against Terry, but there was no disclosure by the victim during the interviews,” the chief investigator said.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820