One man is in custody, according to Halifax County Detention Center records, and Roanoke Rapids police are looking for another in connection with sexual acts against the same victim — once when the child was 4 in 2017 and then in 2023 when the child was 10.
Chief Shane Guyant said the crimes came to light when a student reported the matter to a counselor within the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District.
Warrants remain active for the arrest of Steven Wayne Bedgood, 39, of Roanoke Rapids.
Detention center records show 53-year-old Joseph Robert “Bobby Jo” Liles of Littleton is in custody.
In the gallery: Bedgood, left, and Liles
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The warrants are for statutory sex offense with a child less than 10-years-old by an adult.
Liles was admitted to the detention center shortly before 10 this morning, according to detention records, and was being held without the opportunity for bond. He is scheduled for a Friday district court appearance.
Guyant said the initial report was received in March.
He described the case as strong following an extensive investigation which included the school system, child protective services of the county Department of Social Services and the police department.
Detective J.A. Salmon utilized child sexual assault resources including forensic assistance from the ECU Health TEDI Bear Child Advocacy Center in Greenville.
According to the investigation, Guyant said Bedgood reportedly committed a sex offense against the child in 2017 when the child was 4. He was familiar with the child through a relationship with the child’s mother.
The investigation, according to Guyant, also reportedly shows that Liles committed a statutory sex offense with the child last year. The child was 10 at the time and Liles was reported to be a former friend of the victim’s family.
A sexual offense is defined by North Carolina General Statutes as any sexual act other than vaginal intercourse.
Anyone with information on Bedgood is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or contact its website at this link