by Following an investigation that started with an allegation from Michigan authorities claiming child abuse in Stephens County almost ten years ago, a Toccoa man is currently in jail.
The Michigan State Police called the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) investigators in response to a disclosure made by a little girl. The victim claimed that while she was in Stephens County from 2016 to 2017, an adult male had inappropriate intercourse with her.
When Michigan officials discovered that the alleged assault occurred in Georgia, where the suspect lived, they called local investigators.
Doyle McLaughlin, 67, of Toccoa, was the suspect interviewed by SCSO investigators. Following the interview, police found enough evidence to issue arrest warrants for McLaughlin on counts of luring a kid for indecent purposes and child molestation.
When SCSO Crime Suppression Unit officers tried to arrest McLaughlin at his place of employment on the afternoon of August 5, they were told he had called in ill. After that, investigators went to a house on South Pond Street where McLaughlin was known to dwell. Deputies saw McLaughlin leaving the basement after obtaining permission to search the property, and they apprehended him without incident.
A magistrate court imposed a $50,000 bond for him, and he is currently being held at the Stephens County Jail.
The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office stressed that it will look into any allegations of sexual offenses and child molestation in detail. Members of the public are urged to report suspicious activity by contacting the non-emergency line at 706-779-3911, the Criminal Investigations Division at 706-886-7048, or the department’s mobile app or social media accounts.
Visit the Sex Offenders page on the SCSO mobile app or visit the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s website at https://state.sor.gbi.ga.gov/sort_public/ to keep an eye on Stephens County’s registered sex offenders.
