Staff Reports
Police arrested a Trafalgar man after two children under 14 said he touched them inappropriately.
Carl M. Hendrickson, 52, is charged with two counts of child molesting — fondling or touching a child under 14, both Level 4 felonies. He could face up to 24 years in prison if convicted on both charges and ordered to serve consecutive sentences.
A young girl reported Hendrickson had inappropriately touched her repeatedly while tickling her, the last time on March 15, according to a probable cause affidavit filed Tuesday.
The victim said she does not like it when Hendrickson tickles her because he “takes it too far.” She added, “He touches my privates when he does it and keeps it on there for a couple minutes.”
The victim said he would touch her over and under her clothes. At one point, the victim said he pulled her pants down, according to court documents.
In an interview with Trafalgar police, Hendrickson was very nervous and stressed in his body language and voice. He was breathing rapidly and clenching his fists together, court documents said.
When asked if he ever put his hand down the victim’s pants for a prolonged period of time, he said, “I don’t rape kids.”
Hendrickson mentioned during the interview that he had similarly tickled another child under 14. Police interviewed that child as well, and the second victim said he inappropriately touched her as well, according to court documents.
The second victim said when he inappropriately touched her, he put his hand over his eyes, a reaction consistent with his reactions during his interview with police, the court documents said.
A warrant was issued Tuesday, and Hendrickson was arrested Wednesday. He is held at the Johnson County jail on $13,200 bond.
