An Atmore man was arrested on sex abuse charges on Nov. 9, according to police officials.

Chief Chuck Brooks said today that Lenson Lee Bethea, 54, of Atmore, was arrested on Nov. 9, for sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old and enticing a child for immoral purposes. He was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton, where he is being held.

Brooks said in a release that on Sept. 19, 2018, at approximately 1 p.m., a parent reported to the Atmore Police Department investigative division that a minor child had been allegedly sexually abused within the city limits.

“Upon completion of the initial interview with the parent and the initial written report, the Escambia County Department of Human Resources were contacted per protocol,” Brooks said.

Brooks said the Department of Human Resources initiated its investigation and contacted the Child Advocacy Center to conduct an interview with the child. The DHR is continuing its investigation in conjunction with the APD investigative division.