By HEATHER PYLES, CJ Staff Writer
A man who was accused of engaging in sexual acts with a young child during a police investigation into living conditions at his home will see his case go to trial.
On Thursday, Donnie Eugene Denny, 36, of 123 Aqua Trail, Somerset, appeared before Pulaski Circuit Court Judge David A. Tapp on several sexual abuse charges, including sexual abuse of a minor under 12 years old.
Donnie Denny was indicted by a Pulaski County grand jury earlier this month on one count of incest, one count of first-degree sodomy with a victim less than 12 years old and one count of first-degree sexual abuse with a victim less than 12 years old.
Judge Tapp set the trial for April 13.
Donnie Denny is the husband of Lisa Sue Denny, 41, also of 123 Aqua Trail, Somerset, who was arrested in August after an investigation revealed horrendous living conditions at the couple’s home. Four children — ages 14, 13, 6, and 4 — lived in that residence at the time of the criminal abuse investigation against Lisa Denny.
Lisa Denny was indicted on two counts of criminal abuse in connection with the original investigation.
Tapp also set Lisa Denny’s trial date for April 13.
After the initial investigation was conducted into the living conditions of the home, authorities reported that Donnie Denny allegedly carried out sexual acts with one of the four children living with the couple, who was under 12 years of age at the time of the incidents, according to the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department.
Donnie Denny reportedly carried out the acts between Nov. 2006 and Nov. 2008.
The original criminal abuse investigation began on Aug. 20 when a local elementary school resource officer and family resource center personnel went to the Dennys’ home to check on the status of a 13-year-old student living at the residence.
Authorities responded to the location when living conditions were reportedly found to be deplorable, along with personnel of the Department of Social Services.
According to authorities, the investigation revealed garbage piled inside and outside the residence. The interior of the residence had not been cleaned for a long period of time and had dirty dishes and food items scattered throughout. The floors and bathroom had not been cleaned as well. There were also flies, along with a smell from the filth coming from inside the residence which made entering almost unbearable for the investigators on the scene, officials said.
The four children were taken into custody by the Department of Social Services.
Donnie Denny remained in the Pulaski County Detention Center as of Friday afternoon on a $100,000 cash bond.
Lisa Denny was released on a third-party $10,000 secured bond.
