October 19, 2012

A 31-year-old Lawrence man has been found not guilty of sexually abusing the 5-year-old son of a woman with whom he was living.

A Douglas County jury acquitted the man Thursday of aggravated criminal sodomy. He could have faced up to life in prison if convicted.

A prosecution witness testified the boy's DNA was found on the man's genitals, which were swabbed by police shortly after the alleged incident in April.

But the man told police the boy had touched him while he was using a toilet next to a tub where the boy was taking a bath.

The man isn't being named because he was not convicted.