A 34-year-old man was charged with indecent liberties with a child after investigators with the Sampson County Sheriff’s Department located him at a residence in Mt. Olive Monday.

Rafael Morado, 324, of 260 Crow Best Road, Mt. Olive, was arrested and taken to the Sampson County Detention Center, charged and placed under a $3,000 secured bond.

According to reports, Morado was invited to a New Year’s party in the northeast end of Sampson County, and whille there the suspect allegedly touched a juvenile, who was also at the party, in a “sexually inappropriate manner.”

The incident was immediately reported to law enforcement officials, but Morado fled and was not located until earlier this week.

He was arrested without incident.

According to the North Carolina Department of Corrections, Morado has a previous conviction of driving with his license revoked, a misdemeanor.

Mother arrested

A Clinton mother was charged with child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor Thursday afternoon once blood tests of her newborn allegedly showed signs of cocaine.

According to reports, LaRhonda McMillan, 34, of 2656 King Road, Clinton, was taken into custody after a joint investigation between Sampson County Sheriff’s Office investigators and the Sampson County Department of Social Services.

Reports state that on Feb. 3 McMillan gave birth in Sampson Regional Medical Center. The baby tested positive for cocaine.

On Thursday, McMillan was arrested in her home and taken to the Sampson County Detention Center where she was placed under at $2,500 bond and given a trial date of March 9.

According to the North Carolina Department of Corrections, McMillan has a history of convictions dating back to 1995. Those convictions include larceny (1996); uttering/forging (Jan. 1999); drug possession (Dec. 1999); possession of stolen goods (April 2003); and possession of a schedule II controlled substance (Sept. 2007).

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.