A 20-year-old Roanoke Rapids man has been charged with allegedly committing sexual offenses with his female cousin beginning when the child was 6-years-old.

Detective Harold Phillips of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office said Brian Christopher Pennell has been charged with first-degree sexual offense of a child an indecent liberties with a child.

The offenses allegedly began when the child was 6 and continued until she was 11, Phillips said this afternoon, a timespan from June of 2008 until last November when the matter was reported.

The offenses allegedly occurred when the child was being baby-sat, although Pennell was not the babysitter.

Phillips said Pennell allegedly seized opportunities to show the child his genitals and perform lewd acts with her.

Matters that occurred at school alerted teachers to problems, Phillips said, declining to elaborate. Investigation by School Resource Officer Rodney Williams was instrumental in the charges being filed, Phillips said.

Pennell was jailed on $75,000 secured bond and has a June 4 court date.