Trial begins for man who said child sex abuse was accidental

PRINCETON, W.Va. (AP) - A trial has begun for a West Virginia man who told police he sexually abused a 3-year-old girl by accident.

The Bluefield Daily Telegraph reports opening statements were heard Wednesday in the sexual assault case against 26-year-old Henry Vincent Bennett.

Prosecutors say he told detectives he thought the toddler was his wife when she climbed into his bed and performed oral sex. They say he also acknowledged that he may have used a sexual toy on the little girl.

Prosecutors say Child Protective Services launched an investigation in February. Bennett’s wife, April, has pleaded guilty to child neglect of part of a deal requiring her to testify. Bennett’s attorneys say the allegations are unsupported and his admission was coerced.

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Information from: Bluefield Daily Telegraph, http://www.bdtonline.com