Heathwood Hall senior charged with committing sex crime against teen girl at party
An 18-year-old is behind bars after being charged with a sex crime at a party, the Columbia Police Department said Wednesday.
Garrett Kennard was arrested Tuesday and accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl, police said in a news release.
Kennard is in the senior class at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, but has been suspended, according to officials at the private school.
During a party at a Columbia home on Jan. 25, Kennard forced the 15-year-old to commit a sexual act, according to the news release.
Kennard also “inappropriately touched” the girl before stopping her from “leaving the immediate area,” police said.
The minor was treated by a sexual assault nurse examiner at an area hospital, according to the release.
Information on her condition was not available.
Kennard was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping, jail records show.
He was taken to the Alvin. S. Glenn Detention Center, and on Wednesday was granted a $20,000 surety bond, police said.
In addition to setting his bond, the judge ordered Kennard to have no contact with the girl, according to the release.
Kennard is currently not allowed at Heathwood Hall, according to Chris Hinchey, the Head of School.
“At this time the young man will not be on campus,” Hinchey said in a statement shared with The State. “We expect to make a decision about his enrollment status after we have had the chance to review the police documents and all relevant facts and circumstances.”
A final decision on Kennard’s status at the school is not expected in the next few days, school officials told The State.
Kennard is scheduled to make his next appearance in court on April 2, Richland County records show.
If convicted on the criminal sexual conduct charge, Kennard would face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, according to South Carolina law. He would also face a maximum punishment of 30 years behind bars if convicted on the kidnapping charge, according to S.C. law.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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This story was originally published February 12, 2020 at 1:53 PM.
