Arrest in assault of 6-year-old

MANCHESTER, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Manchester Police Department have arrested a suspect wanted in the assault of a 6-year-old girl.

Officers say they were contacted about a possible child abuse case on September 29.  When they met with the Department of Community Based Services, they say they found the girl with black eyes and bruises all over her body.  Upon further investigation, officers say they found the girl’s mother, Jessica Sasser.  Police say they discovered Sasser was aware of the abuse and had tried to conceal the marks with makeup.  She was arrested.

Officers then say they turned their investigation toward the man they believe committed the abuse, 35-year-old Bobby Barger.  Police found him September 29 at a home on Cole Hollow Road in the Beech Creek area of Manchester.  Investigators say when they arrived, Barger ran out the back door and into the woods.  They were able to find and arrest him after a 45 minute search of the area, according to police.