For the second time this month, the Scioto County Sheriff's Office is investigating a possible child rape case.

Al Swords, 39, of the Lett Terrace Apartments in West Portsmouth, was arrested on Monday in connection with the rape an 8-year-old female.

Sheriff Marty Donini said Swords is related to the victim.

On July 13, a 10- and 11-year-old boy were arraigned in juvenile court and are accused of raping a 5-year-old Wheelersburg girl.

That incident is alleged to have occurred on July 6.

Swords was arrested at his home after detectives executed a search warrant. They were assisted by the Portsmouth Metropolitan Housing Authority security office.

Swords was taken to the Scioto County jail with bail set at $50,000.

He will be arraigned today in Portsmouth Municipal Court.

The sheriff's office will continue to investigate the incident and charges are expected, pen-ding the outcome of a grand jury.

Anyone with information on the case can call the sheriff's department at (740) 355-8245.



JEFF BARRON can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 236.