THE NEWS DESK
The News Desk is a collection of news, notes and breaking items affecting the Fredericksburg community.
Homeless man accused of molesting daughters of woman who took him in
BY KEITH EPPS
A homeless man who was taken in by a Spotsylvania County woman earlier this year is accused of molesting one of her daughters and having sex with another.
Sean Donnelly, 21, is charged with aggravated sexual battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The first charge, a felony, involves a 6-year-old girl and the other involves her 16-year-old sister, 1st Sgt. James Konicki said. The contributing charge is a misdemeanor.
According to Konicki, the girls’ mother met Donnelly while working at the Spotsylvania Towne Centre. Donnelly was homeless at the time and would go into the mall to visit the woman, Konicki said.
The woman in May invited Donnelly to live in her home on Granite Springs Road.
He lived there nearly two months and had an intimate relationship with the mother, Konicki said. Four other girls, including the two victims, also lived in the home.
Konicki said an investigation began after one of the children told an adult she saw Donnelly touching the 6-year-old inappropriately. The Sheriff’s Office was called on July 1 and Detective Pattye Harper’s investigation led to the charges against Donnelly.
Donnelly was placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail, where he is being held without bond.
