Chicago Police Officer Accused Of Assaulting 9-Year-Old Girl
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Chicago Police officer is facing sexual abuse charges after he allegedly kissed and fondled a 9-year-old girl, then threatened her mother.
Dennis Barnes, 61, is charged with one count of attempted predatory criminal sexual assault of a victim under 13, and three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, all felonies, according to a spokesman for the Cook County State's Attorney's office.
He was ordered held on a $100,000 bond in court Thursday.
Mike Clancy, the defense attorney for Barnes, wasted no time blasting the case against his client, minutes after leaving bond court Thursday.
"The allegations are absolutely false," he told reporters.
Prosecutors told the judge Barnes was at a co-worker's house for a barbecue last Saturday when he sat next to her 9-year-old daughter on a couch; massaged her feet, put his hand on her thigh and then her stomach.
Assistant State's Attorney Elizabeth Novy says this happened under a blanket with the victim's brother in the room. He eventually got their mother, Novy said.
Barnes has no prior criminal record but now faces four felony counts.
All the Chicago police spokesperson would say is Barnes has been relieved of his police powers and placed on administrative assignment.
Contributing: Sun-Times Media Wire. (Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
