Police say man gave child water bottle that made her dizzy at Cobb park, sexually assaulted her

MARIETTA, Ga. — Police say a man is in jail after he sexually assaulted a child at a Cobb County park after giving her a water bottle with something inside that made her dizzy.

Channel 2′s Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell was at Shaw Park in Marietta where the alleged attack happened over the weekend.

Police said the suspect, identified as Douglas Darch, gave the child what she thought was a sealed bottle of water and drank it. Soon after, she started to get dizzy.

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Darch has been charged with aggravated assault, child molestation, cruelty to children and terroristic threats.

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It’s unclear what was inside the water bottle that made the child dizzy. it’s also not clear how old she was or if she was at the park alone. Police are not releasing additional information about her condition in order to protect her identity.

Police said Darch is homeless.

Newell spoke to park visitors who were shocked to learn about the assault.

“I hate to hear anybody is hurt let, let alone a child,” Robin Etaas said.

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