Robert DeWeese, 37, faces charges of first-degree rape, unlawful sexual contact, and kidnapping after allegedly sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl in a Five Below store restroom in South Lebanon, Ohio. Court records released on 7/3 confirm his indictment, stemming from an incident on 6/2.

Prosecutors detailed how the mother had instructed her 6-year-old daughter to lock the restroom door and only open it upon hearing a specific knock, a signal agreed upon after the child had an accident and needed new clothes. DeWeese reportedly overheard these instructions. He then mimicked the unique knock to lure the girl into opening the door, subsequently assaulting her. The girl's scream of "Stop!" startled DeWeese, causing him to flee. Her mother was approximately 9-12 meters away during the incident.

The victim's mother reported the incident to police, stating, "My daughter had an accident, and I went to find other clothes for her while she was in the restroom. She told me a man knocked, entered, and touched her. She screamed for help and told him to stop". Police located DeWeese at a relative's home later that evening on 6/2.

Robert DeWeese upon his arrest on the evening of 6/2 (left) and his mugshot while in custody. *Photo: Warren County Sheriff's Office*

DeWeese has a history of sex offense convictions across several Ohio counties. He had been released from prison only three days before the assault, having completed a three-year sentence for a probation violation connected to child sex offenses. He is currently held at the Warren County jail, with bail set at 1 million USD.