Bakersfield Man Pleads Not Guilty To Sexually Assaulting Daughter, 8
BAKERSFIELD (AP) — A Bakersfield father charged with kidnapping, raping and trying to kill his 8-year-old daughter has pleaded not guilty.
Kern County Deputy District Attorney Andrea Kohler said the 29-year-old man was arraigned Monday on eight felony charges, including kidnapping with intent to commit rape, attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation and child molestation with force.
After being reported missing, his daughter was found last Thursday walking alone about nine miles from home with a black eye, bruises and other injuries.
Investigators say they linked the father to her disappearance by tracing his cell phone to the area where she was discovered.
The Associated Press previously identified the two, but has withdrawn their names because police say the girl was sexually assaulted. The AP does not name sexual assault victims to protect their privacy.
Kohler says the man is being held without bail.
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