IM this article to a friend!

May 16, 2003

Teen accused of raping preschooler released on bond

From: WMC-TV, TN - May 16, 2003

A Gibson teen accused of raping a preschool-age relative will return to court in June after posting a $10,000 bond Thursday.

Brandon Thygesen, 18, faces up to 30 years if convicted on both counts.

He will have a preliminary hearing June 5 in Crockett County General Sessions Court. Thygesen is charged with two counts of rape.

He attacked a Gadsden girl in her bathroom May 9 while her parents briefly went next door to a neighbor's home, said Penny Curtis, a Sheriff's Department investigator.

The state prosecution requested Thursday that General Sessions Judge Shannon Jones increase Thygesen's bond.

Jones initially released Thygesen on his own recognizance at an arraignment Monday with the condition he return to the School for the Deaf in Knoxville to graduate. The school would not let him return after being accused of a felony, officials said.

A sign language specialist is helping Thygesen communicate with investigators. Gibson is located 17 miles north of Jackson. Gadsden is two miles southwest of Gibson.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)