Joint Investigation Leads to Arrest of Child Molester on Multiple Charges

PRESS RELEASE – Criminal Investigators with the Rabun and Habersham County Sheriff’s Office began looking into a child molestation complaint that crossed county lines and started in late 2023.

Investigators received a complaint from the parent of a female juvenile victim in Habersham County during the week of March 5, 2024.

Through our partnership with FAITH’s Powerhouse in Stephens County, a forensic interview was conducted with the child.

That interview revealed that a close family friend, David Roy Summers, a 52-year-old male from Cornelia, was spending time alone with the female victim at a residence in Habersham County and taking her to job sites in Rabun County.

During that time together, Summers inappropriately touched the victim and engaged in sexual intercourse.

On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, Investigators from both agencies interviewed witnesses who placed the child with Summers at several job sites around Lake Burton in Rabun County.

Those witnesses could provide specific locations and times when the victim and suspect were together.

Later that same day, Investigators interviewed Summers at the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.

Summer admitted to being a person of trust and confidence to the victim, spending time alone with her and taking her to multiple job sites throughout Rabun County.

Based on the information obtained during the thorough investigation, Summers was arrested and booked into the Habersham County Jail on one count of Sexual Battery and one count of Child Molestation.

In Rabun County, no bond warrants were obtained for Summers for three counts of Child Molestation.

The investigation is ongoing. If you have information about this case, please call the Habersham or Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division.