Newport Police: Child Molestation Suspect In Custody

NEWPORT, RI — Ian T. Barnes, 22, of Newport, was charged with first-degree child molestation, police said. He was arrested at a home on Girard Avenue at 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Police allege he put his hand down a 9-year-old girl's pants and touched her private parts with his finger.

According to the arrest report, the child's mother was in the kitchen loading the dishwasher. When she came into the living room, she saw him allegedly pull his hand out of her daughter's pants and say, "I wasn't doing anything." She called police. Her husband, who was at the store, came home and detained Barnes until officers arrived.

The girl told police Barnes uses her laptop. He allegedly downloaded a search engine and showed her pictures "involving nudity." Police allege the search also included the keyword "teen."

Barnes told police he was upset about the accusation. He said he was tickling her leg because she isn't ticklish on the abdomen. There were also several other children home, including an 8-year-old, 6-year-old twins, a 4-year old and a 3-year old. The three boys told police Barnes often tickles them but only under the arms or on the abdomen.

The girl's mother was previously married to his brother. Barnes does not live in the house but has belongings in the basement.