PARKERSBURG - A George Street man and his girlfriend were arrested Tuesday on sexual abuse charges involving a 7-year-old girl.
Martin Riley Robinson, 35, and his girlfriend, Melissa Brown, 21, both of 1009 1/2 George St., Parkersburg, were arrested Tuesday on one count each of sexual abuse by a parent or guardian, said Trooper J.S. Pauley of the West Virginia State Police.
They were arraigned before Wood County Magistrate Joyce Purkey Tuesday night. Robinson was held on a $250,000 bond, while Brown was held on a $150,000 bond, Pauley said.
Purkey reprimanded Robinson for making statements about the charges against him, advising him not to speak about the charges until meeting with an attorney. She then reprimanded him a second time for refusing to answer general questions about his personal information.
Pauley said the investigation began last week when troopers received a call from the 7-year-old girl's mother. The mother said the girl told her Robinson had been engaging in sexual activity with the girl, Pauley said.
"I contacted the West Virginia Child Protective Services emergency hotline and they conducted an initial interview on Friday," Pauley said.
Police also conducted an interview with the alleged victim, who gave details of the alleged sexual activity.
Brown was arrested around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at her residence. Robinson was arrested around 5 p.m. at the state police barracks on West Virginia 47 in Parkersburg.
