A Scioto County grand jury has indicted Norman Meadows, 21, in connection with the alleged rape of a child at knifepoint inside a restroom at Roosevelt Lake.
The indictment marks the latest development in a case that sparked public outrage and led county leaders to call for a review of organized outings by treatment providers to local parks.
According to the grand jury report, Meadows was indicted on:
- Rape, 3 counts
- Kidnapping
- Felonious assault
- Abduction
- Tampering with evidence
Court records list Meadows’ address as homeless.
He remains held in the Scioto County Jail under a $500,000 bond and is due in court for arraignment on July 23.
Child Assault Report Sparked Investigation
The case began June 15 after Adena Medical Center in Waverly contacted the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office about a child who had been sexually assaulted.
Sheriff David Thoroughman previously said the child, who is under the age of 13, had been visiting Roosevelt Lake with family members when she entered a restroom.
Investigators said an adult man approached the child, displayed a knife, threatened her, and raped her.
Before fleeing, investigators said the man warned the child that he knew where she lived and would hurt her and her family if she told anyone what happened.
Detectives with the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources searched the restroom, nearby grounds, and surrounding wooded areas for evidence.
Investigators later learned that a large group from a local drug rehabilitation program had been at the lake around the time of the assault.
Detectives served a search warrant at the program’s Portsmouth location to collect DNA samples and photographs. After reviewing crime lab results, investigators traveled to the program’s Ironton location.
With the cooperation of the facility, detectives detained Meadows for questioning and took him into custody.
Park Outing Concerns Followed Case
The case also prompted Scioto County Commissioner Scottie Powell to ask treatment providers to temporarily limit or suspend organized outings to county parks while officials review safety policies.
Roosevelt Lake is not controlled by Scioto County, but Powell said the incident brought renewed attention to concerns residents had already raised about large groups from treatment facilities visiting county-owned parks.
“Like many of you, I was deeply disturbed by the recent alleged assault of a child at Roosevelt Lake,” Powell said. “While that incident remains under investigation and did not occur at a Scioto County-controlled park, it has highlighted concerns that many citizens have already brought to my attention regarding organized group outings by treatment providers at our county parks.”
Powell said the goal is not to oppose recovery programs, but to make sure public parks remain safe and accessible for families, children, and residents.
County officials have discussed possible supervision requirements, permits for recurring group activities, better coordination with treatment providers, and additional park rules.
Powell also said treatment providers are concerned about public perception and stigma after the arrest.
“Bad people do bad things regardless,” Powell said.
Commissioner Merit Smith said he was not trying to blame every person in treatment, but said children also have rights in public spaces.
“People have rights to be in public places, but little 10-year-olds have rights to go to the bathroom,” Smith said.
Commissioner Will Mault described the Roosevelt Lake case as “a tragedy that could have been avoided.”
Case Still Moving Through Court
The indictment means the case will now continue in Scioto County Common Pleas Court.
Meadows is scheduled for arraignment July 23.
The charges are allegations. Meadows is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
