Springfield man raped 9-year-old girl, gave her chlamydia, deputies say

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Editor’s note: The criminal charges against Robert Stafford have been dropped by prosecutors. Stafford told the News-Leader he was falsely accused.

Deputies say a Springfield man raped a 9-year-old girl and gave her a sexually transmitted disease.

Robert Stafford, 41, was charged Thursday with statutory rape, statutory sodomy and attempted enticement of a child.

According to a probable cause statement, a 9-year-old girl came forward about two weeks ago to report that Stafford had raped her and forced her to perform sex acts on him.

The statement says the acts occurred over the course of a month.

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The girl told a Child Advocacy Center interviewer that she once tried to hide from Stafford in the closet, but he found her, pulled her out and sodomized her, according to the statement.

The statement says the girl tested positive for chlamydia.

A bond recommendation document from prosecutors says Stafford is also accused of abusing another child by tying a boy up with ropes, assaulting him and starving him for days.

Online records indicate a warrant has been issued for Stafford's arrest in Greene County. He does not have an attorney listed.

The case was investigated by the Greene County Sheriff's Office.

The statutory rape charge carries a possible life sentence.

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