Teen nabbed for child abuse

The Superior Court will hear today the case of a Rota-based Micronesian man arrested by authorities early morning Tuesday for alleged sexual abuse a five-year-old girl.

Rota police investigator Henry M. Santos yesterday filed before the court criminal charges against 18-year-old Larry R. Poll who confirmed to officers of the Rota Department of Public Safety that he almost forced sex on a minor.

According to the complaint, probable cause exists to support charges of burglary, sexual abuse of a child, and attempted rape against the suspect.

Results of police investigation show that last Jan. 30, 2001 at around 1:44am, DPS officer Raimundo Manglona was on a routine patrol at the Liyo Housing area when he was flagged down by a female individual, who was later identified as Dolores San Nicolas.

The woman, a resident of the Rota subdivision, alerted the police officer that she had seen a man running out of her front door when she came to check on her daughter whom she heard scream that night.

Ms. San Nicolas told the patrol officer that she found her five-year-old daughter naked with her clothing wrapped around her neck.

When asked by her mother what happened, the child reportedly said the man removed her clothing and had hurt her. The child’s mother also found a knife on the floor next to the couch were the assault was believed to have occurred.

After telling her story, Ms. San Nicolas provided the police with a clear description of the accused.

The victim was brought by a close relative to the Rota Medical Health Center for examination. Findings of the medical check up have yet to be completed by the resident doctor.

Police detectives had been deployed to comb through the village surroundings in search for the suspect. Mr. Manglona claimed that the defendant voluntarily surrendered upon learning that authorities were searching for him.

The suspect was then brought to Ms. San Nicolas’ residence where he was positively identified. At around 3 am Tuesday, Mr. Poll was taken under arrest.

The suspect, who is also known on Rota as “Ricky” also resides at the Liyo Housing area where the victim lives. While being transported to the police station, police said Mr. Poll had uttered words of regret for harming the victim.

The suspect’s motive, according to the police, was because he wanted to go back to Pohnpei to get away from his uncle who maltreats him.

In a written confession the defendant made after his arrest, Mr. Poll confirmed statements made by Ms. San Nicolas earlier that day.

He admitted to using a knife to gain entry into the house of the victim and that upon entry, he proceeded to the victim’s bedroom and carried her out to the living room couch.

The suspect further confessed that he removed the child’s clothing and tied it around her mouth to prevent her from screaming. The trespasser then began touching the victim’s private parts.

While admitting he had planned on raping the child, the suspect said it was interrupted when the child screamed despite the gag on her mouth.

Mr. Poll also stated that he was drunk at the time he committed the crime.