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Last updated on Thursday, May 30, 2013
(TERRE HAUTE) - Testimony continues in the trial of a man accused of sexually abusing a young family member between 2006 and 2008.
Bruce Bridgewater, 37, is charged with child molestation. He is accused of abusing the girl, then ten to 13 years old, during visits to his home in Terre Haute. The girl came forward with the allegations of abuse when she was 17, authorities said.
Joe Astrouski of WTHI reports that during opening statements, prosecutors told jurors that the alleged victim would testify in the trial. They said the victim would testify that Bridgewater used threats to keep her from telling others about the alleged abuse and that she only later came forward to a coach and a pastor with abuse allegations.
During his opening statement, the defense attorney criticized what he called "a slop-shod and sloppy investigation that made no attempt whatsoever to confirm the allegations (the alleged victim) made," adding that investigators never interviewed Bridgewater, his wife or his neighbors.
Bridgewater's trial is expected to continue Wednesday. He also faces related child abuse charges in Crawford County, Illinois.
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