Girl, 13, dodges alleged fair assault
A Woodbury man was arrested after he allegedly accosted a 13-year-old girl at the fair Monday night.
The suspect, Jimmy Lee Bly II, 32, is charged with assault and disorderly conduct.
According to Sheriff Jackie Matheny, Bly approached the girl on the midway Monday evening and started making sexual explicit remarks to her. He then reportedly reached for her, prompting the girl to run away into the crowd. The incident was then reported to authorities and Bly was located and arrested on the midway.
“She did exactly what she should have done,” Matheny said. “She got away from him and immediately reported the incident.”
Matheny said in light of the incident, parents should talk to and remind their children what to do if they are approached by strangers.
“If the child is approached by someone and feels uncomfortable, they should get away,” Matheny said. “If the person makes advances, it’s OK to scream and holler to create some attention. Don’t take any chances because, as we all recall, there was a young girl taken from the fairgrounds several years ago.”
Matheny said law enforcement officers as well as fair personnel are heavily patrolling the fairgrounds.
“If something does happen, it’s important to report it immediately,” Matheny said. “If a child goes missing, make sure to report it immediately to an officer or fair official without any delay.”
Matheny recommends all small children remain under the direct supervision of an adult at all times while at the fair.