Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: a report was filed with the Iredell Sheriff’s Office by the Iredell County Department of Social Services involving the sexual abuse of a 5 year old child by a family member. The case was assigned to Detective C. M. Benfield with the Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit for follow up investigation. The child was interviewed at the Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center. During the interview, the child disclosed that she had been sexually assaulted by Charles Douglas Franklin. Det. Benfield obtained statements from additional witnesses as well as gathered information from Iredell County Department of Social Services.
As a result of the investigation, warrants were obtained for Charles Douglas Franklin, 133 Happy Acres Drive, Statesville, for one count of First Degree Sex Offense with a Child. Franklin was arrested and is currently being held in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $100,000 secure bond.