A homeless Georgia man raped a girl on Mother’s Day, police say

A homeless man kidnapped and raped a girl in a bathroom at a popular Georgia park on Mother’s Day, authorities said on Friday.

Austin Stovall, 33, was arrested Wednesday in Sunday’s shocking attack at Swift-Cantrell Park in Kennesaw, police said.

“First of all, my thoughts are with the victim and his family following this egregious incident,” Police Commissioner William Westenberger said in a statement on Friday. “It’s something no youngster should ever experience.”

The attack was the “first incident of its kind” at the 130-acre park outside of Atlanta, which features playgrounds, trails and picnic pavilions, Westenberger said.

“We take our oath to protect and serve very seriously,” said the chief. “The suspect has been identified, arrested and will now be held accountable for his actions.”

Stovall, who is listed as homeless on Cobb County jail records, was charged with multiple felonies including rape, aggravated sexual abuse, kidnapping and false imprisonment.

Police said he called a girl under 16 to his car and threatened to “hurt” her if she didn’t follow him to a men’s restroom in the park, according to a Cobb County warrant cited by the Atlanta Journal. Constitution.

Stovall then allegedly forced the girl into a corner inside the facility and raped her, according to the warrant, which did not disclose the victim’s age.

Stovall has a long criminal history that includes multiple convictions and prison terms. He was last arrested in July in Cherokee County, where he was charged with drunk driving, obstruction and other charges, according to the Journal-Constitution.

He remained detained without bond Friday. Prison records indicate he has yet to hire an attorney to speak for him.