Juvenile’s mother faces charges
BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
TOMAHAWK — A 35-year-old man from Tomahawk was arrested Monday on charges of first-degree rape following his 12-year-old “girlfriend’s” miscarriage, authorities said. His arrest came just a day after the girl’s mother was taken into custody on a charge of first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor-sex act.
According to the Kentucky State Police, officers from the Pikeville Post responded to a call Sunday from Highlands ARH Medical Center in Prestonsburg, where a 12-year-old had suffered a miscarriage. The Department of Social Services informed authorities that the alleged offender was Tommy Bowen, 35, of Tomahawk.
At the hospital, police spoke with the girl’s mother, Cheryl Rogers, 48, of Tomahawk, who told officers that she and her daughter lived with Bowen and two other females at a residence on Rockhouse Road.
According to police reports, Rogers stated that Bowen and the girl had been spending time together, frequently watching movies in his bedroom, a pattern that had been ongoing since shortly after Christmas. Approximately four to five days before the miscarriage, Bowen said, she was walking to the restroom when she overheard moaning sounds coming from Bowen’s bedroom and suspected the two were engaged in sexual activity. The police report says Bowen stated that she told them to stop, and then she returned to her bedroom.
When the noises continued, Rogers went back to Bowen’s bedroom and made the juvenile go back to her bed with her.
According to police, Rogers stated that when she confronted the girl, she appeared not to fully grasp what was happening. Rogers told police that when she confronted Bowen, he admitted to engaging in inappropriate conduct and professed his love for the girl.
Following the interview, authorities arrested Rogers at approximately 12:30 p.m. Sunday and placed the juvenile into protective custody.
Hours later, at approximately 1:38 a.m. Monday, law enforcement was dispatched to the Bowen residence on Rockhouse Road about a man in distress. The caller, identified as Bowen, reportedly told Martin County Dispatch that his girlfriend had suffered a miscarriage and that he was experiencing a crisis.
Officers from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and Kentucky State Police Post 9 arrived at the scene. KSP Trooper L. Layne asked Bowen to step outside for a private conversation. After being read his Miranda rights, Bowen waived his right to an attorney and agreed to speak with Layne.
During the interview, Bowen said he was torn up about his girlfriend’s miscarriage, and she was 12 years old. He told police that their sexual relationship began around October or November and that their last sexual encounter took place in mid-February. Bowen claimed the girl would come into his room and initiate sexual activity. He said he would tell her no, and sometimes they would not have sex, but they regularly had intercourse.
According to the police, Bowen said it was the juvenile’s idea to have a baby. He said he asked if she was sure, telling her that she was young to have a baby, and she answered, “Yes, I love you Tommy Bowens.”
Trooper Layne arrested Bowen following the interview.