Authorities: Veteran Faked Death to Avoid Child Rape Charges

The Associated Press
By The Associated Press
February 12, 2019US News
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Authorities: Veteran Faked Death to Avoid Child Rape Charges
A researcher at the University of Wageningen is studying a DNA sample from a piece of sheep's wool as part of a research on wolves of the Veluwe nature reserve, in Wageningen, on Feb. 11, 2019. (Jeroen Jumelet/AFP/Getty Images)

MOSS POINT, Miss.—Authorities are searching for a U.S. Army veteran accused of faking his death off the Alabama coast to avoid charges in Mississippi, where he is accused of raping and impregnating his 14-year-old stepdaughter.

News outlets reported this week that Orange Beach, Alabama, police found an abandoned dingy belonging to 42-year-old Jacob Blair Scott just offshore last summer. Inside it was a note with Scott’s social security number that said “I’m sorry” and a handgun tied to a rope.

Authorities searched unsuccessfully for Scott and said it was strange there wasn’t any forensic evidence of a suicide. Scott had withdrawn $45,000 from his retirement account and disappeared days before he was set to plead guilty to charges related to the attack on his now ex-stepdaughter.

DNA evidence confirmed he is the father.

How to Report Suspected Child Maltreatment

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, contact your local child protective services office or law enforcement agency so officials can investigate and assess the situation. Most states have a number to call to report abuse or neglect.

To find out where to call, consult the State Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers website.

The Childhelp organization also can provide crisis assistance and other counseling and referral services. Contact them at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).

“Every year more than 3.6 million referrals are made to child protection agencies involving more than 6.6 million children (a referral can include multiple children),” according to Childhelp.

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