Baldwin County (January 14, 2023) – A woman met with officers at the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office to report a molestation that occurred earlier that day. She explained that her brother, sister, and a family member, a young child, had accompanied her while she conducted a cleanup at a senior living center on Emanuel Harris Road. After they completed the job and drove away, the child informed her that her uncle had touched her inappropriately.
She stated that her brother, Herbert Lee Butts, had been outside the apartment homes throwing away boxes, and she had sent the child out to throw out more boxes. The child said her uncle told her to “come to the back of the dumpster” and then touched her twice. She specified that he had touched her buttocks.
When she confronted her brother, he denied it and said the child was just playing. He stated she had “popped me on my back, and I told her, OK, I’m gonna pop you back now, so you see how it feels.”
She told the officers that nothing like this had happened before between her brother and the child; however, she explained that he had a criminal history and had been involved in a similar incident in the 90s.
Butts was arrested for child molestation and probation violation on January 27. This case is currently pending in court.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On 1-14-23 I met the complainant, [WITNESS #1], at the Sheriff’s Office lobby in reference to child molestation that had already occurred at approximately 1600 this date.
Mrs. [WITNESS #1] stated she had [REDACTED BY AGENCY] with her at [100 BLOCK] Emanuel Harris Rd (senior living center) doing clean up. Mrs. [WITNESS #1] stated she was also there with her sister and brother. She advised that her brother, Herbert Butts, was already outside the apartment homes throwing away boxes. Mrs. [WITNESS #1] sent her [REDACTED BY AGENCY], outside as well to throw away more boxes. Minutes later Mrs. [WITNESS #1] left the location with her [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. Mrs. [WITNESS #1] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] had something to tell her while they were in the vehicle. She stated that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] told her that “uncle Herbert” touched her inappropriately.
Mrs. [WITNESS #1] asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY] what happened, “He told me to come to back of the dumpster and then he touched me twice.” She asked [REDACTED BY AGENCY] where uncle Herbert touched her and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] lifted up and pointed to her butt. Mrs. [WITNESS #1] did advise that she confronted Mr. Butts and he stated, “oh no she was playing with me, she popped me on my back and I told her okay I’m gonna pop you back now so you see how it feels.” Mrs. [WITNESS #1] stated nothing like that has happened before with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and her brother.
Mrs. [WITNESS #1] stated her brother, Mr. Herbert, had a criminal history and a similar incident had occurred in the 90’s.
[End of Narrative]
