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Registered Sex Offender Held In Rape Case Involving 8-Year-Old

PONTIAC (WWJ) - A registered sex offender, who served 10 years in the state pen, is behind bars once again. This time for sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl in Pontiac.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard says the incident happened Sunday night on Putnam Street -- when the little girl's attacker lured her into his car with an offer of a ride to McDonalds. There were other children with the young girl who refused to get into the car.

Sheriff Bouchard says the attacker and the 8-year-old were acquaintances.

He says parents need to teach their children the difference between a stranger and a friend:

"Treat everyone like a stranger if you are a child," he said. "It's probably one of the best suggestions you can give."

Bouchard went on to say that it's important for parents to stress the boundaries children must understand.

"It's not just strangers, it could be anybody, even the guy or the gal down the street that you know," said Bouchard. "So, is he really a stranger? He is, unless mom and dad say that he is not - then you have permission to talk with him or go with him ... You may have seen the neighbor down the street mowing his lawn all the time, and he's friendly and nice, but that doesn't mean it's okay to get in a car with that person."

The young girl is recovering but said to be in shock:

"She was in the hospital overnight and obviously has been traumatized ... ," he said.

"You may have seen the neighbor down the street mowing his lawn all the time, and he's friendly and nice, but that doesn't mean it's okay to get in a car with that person."

The suspect in the 8 year old's attack remains behind bars as he awaits his arraignment.

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