Authorities in Putnam County have made an arrest relating to the rape of a child that is reported to have occurred several years ago. Raul Baltazar Sebastian Pascual has been charged with the aggravated rape of a child he was allegedly babysitting at the time of the offense. The Putnam County Sheriff's Department began its investigation into the case on Dec. 8, 2023, following a report from a school counselor. WSMV detailed that deputies learned that the alleged rape took place when Pascual was still a minor.

The investigation found that Pascual "undressed the child and raped her on the couch in the living room of the home," as stated by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. On Wednesday, Pascual was taken into custody and is to quickly face a hearing to determine whether his case will be transferred to Criminal Court. As obtained by FOX17, due to the defendant's age at the time of the incident, the initial charges have been filed in Juvenile Court.

The case was brought to light after a school counselor reported their concerns to law enforcement, which prompted the investigation. Pascual has been arrested and is currently facing charges as an adult, despite having been a minor when the crime was allegedly committed. The sheriff's department has not released details of the circumstances leading to the investigation beyond the report made by the counselor.

Pascual, who is now awaiting his court date on July 2, gave an admission to deputies regarding the occurrence of the rape, according to the information from the sheriff’s department. This development in the case pushes to unfold the narrative of a crime that had quietly lingered in the shadows for years. Pascual is being held without bond for a charge as heavy as the aggravated rape of a child, WKRN reports, adding gravity to a story already burdened with the weight of alleged heinous acts against the innocent.