SC man charged after 9-year-old girl tells classmates he rapes her

CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – A South Carolina man is behind bars after a 9-year-old girl told police that “he rapes me when mommy goes to work,” according to an Horry County Police report.

According to 24-Hour News 8’s sister station, WBTW, officers responded to an elementary school in Horry County on May 3 after a 9-year-old little girl told two of her classmates that a man living in her house touched her private parts, the report states. One of the classmates told her parents, who then reported it to officials.

The young victim told an agent with the Department of Social Services that when her mom leaves the home to go to work, the man, identified as 33-year-old Quinton Altonio Leonard, sexually assaults her, police note. The victim told police that the most recent assault happened May 1 when her mom left for work.

The little girl told police that she was laying in her bed taking a nap Leonard came in her room and raped her, the report states. The victim told police that she tried to stay asleep while Leonard was assaulting her because “she did not want to get in trouble.”

Police note within the report that the little girl hadn’t told anyone about Leonard touching or raping her because her mother is happy with Leonard.

Officers took the little girl, along with four other children ranging in age from one to 11-years-old, into emergency protective custody. The victim was taken for a full medical evaluation and forensic interview, according to the report.

Evidence was collected from the victim’s home and Leonard was arrested Monday on one charge of criminal sexual conduct first degree with a minor under the age 11. No bail has been set.