Albany boy, 12, accused of raping 7-year-old girl

ALBANY — A 12-year-old boy was arrested Tuesday on accusations of raping a 7-year-old girl, police officials say.

According Phyllis Banks, spokeswoman for the Albany Police Department, the boy was charged with the crime after officers responded to the 1400 block of East Gordon Avenue around 4 p.m. Tuesday when his mother reported that he was missing.

Officials say that while the officers searched for the boy, one of his relatives contacted the mother to say he had been discovered sexually molesting the girl. Police say that shortly after investigators with the APD Family Protection Unit arrived, the boy was charged with rape and transported to the Dougherty County jail.

Although a minor, the boy has been charged as an adult under Georgia’s “seven deadly sins” provision, Banks said, which allows for him to be housed at an adult facility.

According to Banks, after a review of the case and in consideration for his safety, the APD and the Dougherty County District Attorney’s Office agreed for the boy to be transferred to the Regional Youth Detention Center.

Late on Wednesday afternoon, however, a Juvenile Court judge released the boy to the custody of his parents, Banks said.