Suspect in Sex Assault of 12-Year-Old Pleads Not Guilty

The 39-year-old pizza cook accused of impregnating a 12-year-old relative reportedly has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.

A public defender filed not guilty pleas for Leonel Bartolo Rodriguez on Monday, Aug.4 — nearly two weeks after he was extradited from New York and charged with first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor, according to The Advocate.

Rodriguez is scheduled to return to court Sept. 8 so pathologists have enough time to do a DNA analysis on evidence which which includes the aborted fetus allegedly fathered by Rodriguez, according to the newspaper report. Rodriguez remains in jail, unable to post $100,000 bond, according to the Connecticut Judicial Branch website records.

According to Stamford Police, the victim told her mother on July 17 that she was not feeling well and was experiencing cramps. Her mother took her to the doctor who determined that the girl was pregnant. The doctor notified the state Department of Children and Families and at that time the child was reluctant to disclose any information about the pregnancy, according to police.

The next day, on July 18, the victim, along with her mother and the suspect, travelled to Queens, NY to visit an aunt. During the visit the victim disclosed to the aunt that Rodriguez sexually abused her several times and caused the pregnancy.

To protect the victim’s identity, Patch is not identifying the nature of the relationship between the victim and Rodriguez.

The complete Advocate story can be found here.