CT Man Sexually Assaulted 6-Year-Old: PD

THOMPSON, CT — A 22-year-old Thompson man was arrested after he sexually assaulted a 6-year-old, according to police.

Derick Mercado-Labonte was charged with sex assault of a minor under the age of 13, risk of injury to a child and illegal sexual contact with a juvenile under the age of 13. He was held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Police began investigating in February 2018 after getting a report of sexual assault. Police learned that the victim was forced to touch Mercado-Labonte's genitals, according to an arrest warrant.

The victim's adoptive parents had gone out at night and Mercado-Labonte watched two of their children. The child told her parents what had transpired and the parents contacted police, according to the warrant.

Mercado-Labonte said the victim had grabbed through his pants as he walked away, according to police. He also claimed the victim tried to kiss him and touched his genitals after pulling his pants away from his waist. Mercado-Labonte also told police that he had touched the female victim's genitals accidentally when he went to pick her up.

Image via State Police