Philip D. Brown

Richmond County Daily Journal

A Rockingham teen is being charged with the sexual abuse of a 9-year-old child after an incident that took place in early June.

Joseph “Joey” Miller, 19, of Green Ridge Drive, Rockingham, was arrested and charged with first-degree statutory sexual offense and attempted indecent liberties with a child. His bond was set at $10,000.

The Rockingham Police Department arrested Miller on June 8.

According to arrest reports, the victim’s mother told police Miller was at the victim’s home socializing with her other children, when she noticed the victim and Miller had gone missing.

She said she discovered the two in the bathroom, and Miller admitted to having the girl perform a sex act on him. After the act, she told police Miller asked the girl to sit in his lap.

The mother told authorities Miller admitted all of this to her.

The arrest report also notes the Department of Social Services was contacted about the incident as well.

Arrest reports published in the Richmond County Daily Journal are copied from local law enforcement records. Except for people injured in motor vehicle accidents or reportable deaths, victims including people, businesses and institutions and their addresses are not included as a matter of newspaper policy. Reports include both arrests and criminal summons such as citations. The Daily Journal lists them all as arrests. People charged are presumed innocent until determined to be guilty by a court of law.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.