Mom allegedly knew adult son was molesting young girl

ZACHARY -- Police claim a woman allegedly knew her adult son had molested a young girl for more than three years.

After a lengthy investigation, Zachary Police arrested Deborah H. Barker, 52, for allegedly having knowledge of her son's molestation of a five-year-old girl, said Police Chief John Herty.

Justin William Barker, 24, of the same address in Zachary, was arrested Feb. 2 on one count each of aggravated rape and oral sexual battery.

He allegedly began molesting a five-year-old girl, who was the daughter of his brother's girlfriend, in 2007, said Herty.

The girl's biological grandmother said her granddaughter had told her of the actions.

Police say they brought Barker in for questioning and he in fact admitted to the molestation allegations.

Upon further investigation, Zachary police discovered the elder Barker knew of the incidents and an arrest warrant was issued. The mother is charged with principal to aggravated rape and principal to oral sexual battery, Herty said