Statement from the Rowan County Sheriff's Office on 5/6/24
Rowan County Man Charged with Indecent Liberties
In October of 2023, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office received a report from the parents of a 13-year-old alleging that the child had been sexually abused by a family friend. The suspect was identified as 55-year-old David Wayne Mize Sr of Rockwell. Based off information obtained during the investigation, detectives believe the victim was assaulted at a home on Zion Church Road on October 13, 2023. The victim immediately told family members, which resulted in the report to deputies the following day.
Mize was arrested on May 3rd at his residence and charged with one count of taking indecent liberties with a minor. He has since been released on a $15,000 secured bond to await trial.
Also, on May 3rd, Mize was served with a warrant for contributing to the delinquency of juvenile. This charge stemmed from an incident that occurred on April 30, 2024, when deputies responded to a wooded area in the 600 block of Zion Church Road to do a welfare check.
Mize was found at that location in a vehicle that was in a state of disrepair and inoperable. His 12-year-old child was located there with him and did not appear to have the necessities, such as food, running water, housing, or transportation to and from school. Mize admitted to picking the child up from a relative who was their primary caregiver. Based on this information, DSS was contacted, and they made the decision to remove the juvenile from the care and custody of their primary caregiver. Arrangements were made for them to be placed with other relatives.
Mize received a $1,500.00 secured bond for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and has a pending court date of May 22, 2024. This gave Mize a $16,000.00 total secured bond with the charge and warrant.