A Florala man is being held on a $200,000 bond after he was accused of sexually assaulting a child.

Florala Chief of Police Sonny Bedsole said William Creech, 35, was arrested Friday for sexual assault of a child less than 12 and rape in the first degree.

Bedsole said that the events started when a parent reported what happened.

“He pushed this lady’s daughter down,” Bedsole said. “Outside of a business here in Florala.”

Bedsole said that the child was forensically interviewed by the Covington County Child Advocacy Center.

“The victim said that he grabbed ahold of her, pushed her down, pulled off her pants and attempted to have sex with her,” Bedsole said. “She was able to kick him in the groin numerous times and get him off of her.”

He said that Creech was interviewed and admitted that he made a mistake with the child.

“He wouldn’t go any further with any other admissions,” Bedsole said. “He is a developmentally delayed person. He will be evaluated to make sure that he can stand trial. If not then he will hopefully be placed in a group home, or something like that.”

Bedsole said it is a bad situation either way it is looked at.

“For the child’s sake, especially when you look at what happened to her,” Bedsole said. “Also, for him, if he is not competent to realize what he did. I have been aware of him ever since I have been chief down here in Florala, but this is the first time that we have heard of a violent act.”

Creech is being held in the Covington County Jail on a $200,000 bond.