Man accused of Christmas abuse

A Franklin County man accused of sexually abusing a young girl on Christmas morning was recently indicted by the May grand jury, officials said.

Arnulfo Lucas Renteria, 60, 31202 Franklin 724, Russellville, was indicted on one count of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old.

According to reports, investigators with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said authorities were notified at 6:30 a.m. on Dec. 25, 2011, that Renteria had allegedly sexually abused an 11-year-old girl that morning.

The victim is reportedly a family acquaintance and was staying in the same residence as Renteria when the abuse allegedly occurred.

Authorities said Renteria is accused of going into the room where the girl was sleeping on Christmas morning and inappropriately touching her in her bed.

Officials said the girl told her parents about the abuse and they notified authorities.

Investigators said the Franklin County Department of Human Resources was also notified of the alleged abuse.

“This is just one of the saddest cases,” Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said. “This little girl shouldn’t have had to go through something like this, especially not on Christmas morning. That should have been a happy time for a child her age.”

Renteria is still in custody at the Franklin County Jail on a $75,000 bond.

Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said Renteria’s case would be scheduled for an arraignment hearing on June 28 and would be placed on the August criminal trial docket.