Couple Charged In Rape Of Girl

Friday, September 21st 2007, 6:18 am

By: News On 6

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) -- Muskogee County prosecutors charge a Warner man and his estranged wife in connection with the rape of a 9-year-old girl. Charles LaBounty was arrested last week and formally charged Thursday with five counts of lewd molestation and three counts of rape by instrumentation. LaBounty is now free on $150,000 bond.

His wife, Sherry LaBounty, was charged Thursday with enabling child abuse by injury, and posted $35,000 bond after making an initial court appearance. Her preliminary hearing is set for November 27th.

Prosecutors allege that Sherry LaBounty authorized or allowed the girl to be cared for by her husband when she knew or should have known the child was at risk of sexual abuse.

According to an affidavit, the child told Mrs. LaBounty about the abuse two years ago, and Sherry LaBounty said she confronted her husband then.

The affidavit says she failed to call law enforcement about the alleged abuse.

The LaBountys couldn't be reached for comment.