Another charged in teen’s abuse

Published 10:00 pm Sunday, January 7, 2018

Detectives arrested a second person involved with the sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl.

On Thursday, 60-year-old Penny Simmons of 4519 Paris Road, is charged with first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a minor.

According to court documents, Simmons witnessed and participated with the child in paddling James Simmons for his “sexual gratification” on Nov. 15, 2017. Penny Simmons also told detectives she witnessed James Simmons in the child’s bedroom, while the child slept, watching “pornographic videos” and having his hand under the bed covers near the child’s buttocks.

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Penny Simmons also allegedly failed to report the conduct to the authorities.

James Simmons, 61, of 4519 Paris Road, was arrested in December and charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. According to court records, James Simmons allegedly had the child paddle his bare buttocks on more than 20 occasions.

James Simmons is being held on a $25,000 bond in the Clark County Detention Center while he waits for the grand jury to act in his case.

According to the jail’s website, Penny Simmons is being held on a $2,500 bond.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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