COLUMBIA — A Columbia man was arrested on suspicion of child molestation after two children reported that he had touched them inappropriately, according to a Columbia Police Department news release.
Devin R. Backes, 18, was arrested on suspicion of two counts of first-degree child molestation, according to the release. As of 4:16 p.m. Wednesday, Backes was being held at the Boone County Jail. Bond had not been set at that time.
The two children, 8- and 9-year-old girls, reported the abuse to a school official at the Columbia elementary school they attend, Sgt. Ken Hammond of the Columbia Police Department said. The school official then called the police.
On Wednesday, Backes was interviewed by an investigator from the Major Crimes Unit and made incriminating statements involving his actions with the children, according to the news release. During interviews with the victims, they said he fondled and had sexual contact with them multiple times.
The victims are related to Backes, but they are not immediate relatives, Hammond said.
The two girls told a forensic interviewer and an investigator that Backes had touched them inappropriately, according to the news release. Investigators think the abuse took place at Backes' residence when the victims spent the night. The abuse started at the beginning of the year and the most recent incident took place on Oct. 19, Hammond said.
Backes had not been formally charged as of 5 p.m. Wednesday.