Two jailed for child sex abuse

An Atmore man was jailed on $250,000 bond for sexual abuse of a child following an investigation by the Atmore Police Department and the Escambia County Department of Human Resources.

Lenson Lee Bethea, 54, was arrested Friday and charged with sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old and enticing a child for immoral purposes.

According to reports released by Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks, a parent reported the alleged abuse to police on Sept. 19, stating that a minor child had been sexually assaulted within the city limits of Atmore.

"Upon completion of the initial interview with the parent and the initial written report, the Department of Human Resources was contacted per protocol," Brooks said in a statement.

Brooks said the Department of Human Resources initiated its investigation and contacted the Child Advocacy Center to conduct an interview with the child.

"The Department of Human Resources continues its investigation in conjunction with the Atmore Police Department's investigative division," Brooks stated.

The investigation led to the arrest of Bethea, who is being held in the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on bond.