Former police chief faces child molestation charges

CLARKESVILLE - A former police chief and animal control officer faces child molestation charges in Habersham County.<br /> <br /> Richard Scott Burton of Mt. Airy is charged with aggravated child molestation, child molestation, two counts of sodomy, and first-degree cruelty to children, Habersham County Detention Center records show.<br /> <br /> Burton, his wife, and a then-17-year-old female living in the home were arrested in November 2012 after the Burtons' 13-year-old son went missing for 15 hours, spending the night outdoors because of what he said was trouble at home.<br /> <br /> After the 2012 incident, the son and other siblings in the home were placed in state custody through the Department of Family and Children Services.<br /> <br /> "As they went through counseling, they opened up," Sheriff Joey Terrell said.<br /> <br /> That information led to Thursday night's charges against Richard Burton, who is being held at a jail outside the county.<br /> <br /> Burton served as police chief in Mt. Airy several years ago, and had been working as an animal control officer for the City of Cornelia at the time of his 2012 arrest.<br /> <br /> Terrell said because Burton previously was employed as a law enforcement officer in Habersham County, he is being held at another facility for his protection. <br /> <br /> Additional charges may be forthcoming.<br /> <br /> "They're still continuing interviews at The Powerhouse, so there is the possibility of more charges," Terrell said.

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