Ringgold man charged with raping 15-year-old girl he was asked to watch

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

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photo Timothy Kernea

The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Ringgold, Ga., man authorities say had sex with a 15-year-old girl.

Timothy Dewayne Kernea, 25, of 35 Edwards Lane, was arrested Friday on charges of statutory rape, aggravated child molestation and enticing a child for indecent purposes.

As of Monday night, he is being held without bond at the Catoosa County Jail.

According to an incident report, Kernea was supposed to take care of the girl for two weeks, and she stayed at his house.

Later, after she left, Kernea started to call and text her frequently.

This concerned the girl’s mother, but the girl defended Kernea.

Police records indicate that Kernea and the girl were together at least in June and July. The girl’s mother alerted a Catoosa County sheriff’s officer of her suspicions on July 26.

Later that day, the girl told police that she had sex with Kernea.

Kernea was arrested in Hamilton County on Friday, and he was later transferred to Catoosa County.

He has been arrested in Hamilton County before, records show.

In 2007, he pleaded guilty to assault. And in 2008 he pleaded guilty to vandalism and burglary of a business.