West Plains man arrested for eight counts of sexual assault of 14-year-old

West Plains, Missouri. – A West Plains man was recently arrested for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl. Curtis Havens, 40, is charged with six counts of second-degree child abuse and aggravated sexual assault, as well as two counts of attempted second-degree child abuse and aggravated sexual assault.

According to the Howell County Sheriff’s Office affidavit, a deputy and a children’s unit investigator responded to a call to a residence where sexual abuse was alleged. Upon arrival, the deputy spoke with the caller, who stated that Curtis Havens repeatedly sexually abused her 14-year-old daughter on April 25, 2024, while she was at his residence.

On May 1, 2024, the victim was interviewed at the South Center Child Advocacy Center in West Plains. During this interview, she told officers that she and Havens were searching an area for scrap metal and were covered in ticks. Back at the house, they removed ticks and Haven forced the victim to remove her clothing so he could “check her for ticks.” He then began inappropriately touching her while forcing her to lay on his bed. The victim went back to his house the next day and the same thing happened again. On May 21, 2024, Haven was interviewed and he stated that the victim had indeed been laying on the bed and he checked her for ticks, but denied that she ever removed her clothing.

Haven is being held in the Howell County Jail on $50,000 bail.

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