Belmont County, OH – Detectives with the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office have charged a 47-year-old man from Bellaire following an investigation into the reported rape of a twelve-year-old girl earlier this fall.
According to the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began in early September 2025 after the alleged incident was reported. Following weeks of interviews and evidence collection, detectives charged Thomas Edward Carson, 47, of Bellaire, Ohio, with Rape of a Minor Under 13 in Eastern Division Court.
Authorities say the case remains under active investigation and that additional charges may be presented to a grand jury at a later date. Sheriff James Zusack commended his team for their efforts, noting the detectives’ “hard work and dedication to bring this matter to justice.”
The Sheriff’s Office credited several cooperating agencies for their support, including the U.S. Marshals Service (Northern District of West Virginia), the Bellaire Police Department, the Martins Ferry Police Department, the Belmont County Child Protective Services, and the Wheeling Police Department.
Anyone with information related to Carson or this investigation is asked to contact the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit at 740-695-7933.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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