At least 1 child living in bug-infested home in Horry County sexually assaulted: report
An investigation into children living in a home with bugs crawling on the walls later determined that an adult sexually assaulted at least one child, officials said.
Horry County police arrested and charged William O’Neil Callahan, 36, with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. He was booked into J. Reuben Long Detention Center on Monday and is being held on $20,000 bond.
Officers started their investigation in September after three children — aged 5, 7 and 11 — went to school with injuries, according to a police report. Police determined the injuries were small bug bites or burns.
Authorities then went to a Galivants Ferry home to continue the investigation. There was no electricity in the home and the temperature was so warm that the officers started to sweat, according to the report.
There was no food in the home and bugs crawled on the furniture and walls, the report states.
Police put the kids in emergency protective custody because of the conditions. A fourth child also lived in the home and a friend took custody of that youngster.
Officers continued to investigate the incident and determined that Callahan committed criminal sexual conduct with at least one of the children, Horry County police spokeswoman Mikayla Moskov said.
Third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 5:59 PM.
