Once every four days, someone in Callaway County is sexually abused.
In 2015, 91 cases were reported to the Callaway County Sheriff's Office, according to Lt. Clay Chism.
"I can say, many of those 91 reports did involve children," Chism said. "Not only do many cases involve children, several cases include a child suspect on a child victim. A lot of them are older children perpetrating on younger children."
The latest sexual assault arrests involved two Fulton men preying on children.
The investigation of Robinson began June 6 when a call was made to the state child abuse and neglect hotline. That call reported the sexual abuse of a victim who is now 12 years old. At the time of the offenses, the victim was 8-11 years old. The offenses took place at a residence near Fulton in Callaway County, Chism said.
According to a court document, Robinson admitted to investigators he had committed several felony sex acts against a child. He is being held at the Callaway County Jail without bond, pending court arraignment. A court date has not yet been announced.
At 6:50 a.m. July 30, sheriff's officials investigated another reported child sex offense at a residence near Fulton. The victim was a 16-year-old child, according to a court document.
A Callaway County search warrant was obtained and executed at Martin's residence where he was found and arrested.
A court document says Martin sexually assaulted the child, who was asleep. Martin also is being held at Callaway County Jail without bond, Chism said. Both cases remain under investigation, officials added.
Audrey Penberthy, a counselor at McIntire Elementary School, said signs of sexual abuse can be recognized in victims.
"As a school counselor, I utilize the 'Child Welfare Manual' on the Missouri Department of Social Services website," she said.
The manual states children who are sexually abused can exhibit a wide array of behaviors that can act as warning signs. Children can seem distracted, or caretakers may notice a change in appetite, mood swings and development of new fears of people or places.
According to U.S. Department of Justice officials, one warning sign isn't likely to denote sexual abuse, but the presence of several signs should prompt a parent or other adult to ask questions.
Sexual offenses against children take up much of a law enforcement investigator's time, Chism said.
"A majority of the two sheriff's office criminal investigators' time is spent handling sexual abuse offenses," he said. "They are very lengthy and extensive investigations."
Often, the officers in charge of investigating offenses are put under an enormous amount of stress, Chism said.
"Child sexual offense investigations are certainly stressful. It's unfortunate when any child is victimized," he added. "As a law enforcement officer, if you are going to devote resources to any case, a child victim certainly deserves justice."
While investigation a sexual assault of a minor can be emotionally draining, Chism said a child receiving justice is worth it.
"Any investigation involving a child victim is challenging," he said. "But to get that child the justice they deserve is rewarding, in another sense."
Chism said to help protect against offenders, parents need to be involved with their children.
"Parents always need to be aware of their children's activities and relationships as much as possible," he said. "(They need to) take notice of a child's change in behavior and make themselves available for their children to talk to."
Chism urges anyone who suspects a child has been sexually assaulted to call the child abuse/neglect hotline at 800-392-3738. The Missouri Department of Social Services officials ask callers have the following information available: name of the child, name of their parents, name of alleged abuser and the location of the child.