Chickashanews.com

Local News

Related Photos

May 21, 2007

Chickasha area couple arrested on sex abuse charges

Jason Clarke

CHICKASHA — A Chickasha area couple was arrested Friday after the husband allegedly molested their six-year-old daughter.

Don Anthony Howard, 45, and Cora Leigh Howard, 24, are in Grady County Jail following an investigation by Undersheriff Irene Harvey.

Harvey reportedly began investigating the Howards in April, having received a referral from the Department of Human Services.

In an interview with the victim, the child reportedly told Harvey that Don had touched her in her private areas “a lot of times.”

The child was able to indicate using anatomical drawings that she had allegedly been raped by Don, according to the affidavit.

The victim said she had told Don to quit and he said for her not to tell anybody.

The girl also indicated that Cora was present during the incidents and did nothing to stop it from happening.

When asked if she thought her mother saw what was happening, the child said “yes.”

Cora faces charges of enabling child abuse and child neglect, while her husband is being held on charges of child sexual abuse and child neglect.

The couple’s four children were reportedly removed from their home southwest of Chickasha prior to the beginning of the investigation.

Text Only
Local News