Published: March 28, 2007 09:09 pm      

Police make arrest in sex abuse case

EDMOND — An Edmond man faces 22 counts of child sexual abuse for allegedly fondling three young girls.

Lawrence Stephen Karnowski, 22, was arrested Friday by Edmond Police.

According to Oklahoma County District Court documents, the victim’s mother noticed her 9-year-old daughter acting “different” when Karnowski would return from his military duty, which required him to be gone three weeks at a time.

The girl claimed Karnowski would come into the bathroom while she was showering to “check on her,” court documents state.

She claimed Karnowski touched her several times while she was showering.

A 12-year-old claimed Karnowski would come into her bedroom and tell her to take her clothes off as he would lay next to her, touching her with his hands, according to the document.

The 8-year-old claimed Karnowski would make her get undressed while he kissed and touched her body, according to court records.

Police went to Karnowski’s home in the 2500 block of North Thomas about 7 p.m. Friday night and placed him under arrest. According to court papers, Karnowski stated that everything the girls had disclosed was true.

Karnowski is in the Oklahoma County Jail. Bond has been set in Oklahoma County District Court at $220,000.