A Spring City man is free on bond after Rhea County Sheriff's officials charged him with allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl and an 11-year-old girl early this year.

William Earl Daniels Jr., 52, was released from the Rhea County Jail on a $15,000 bond Friday. He was charged with rape of a child Thursday. Officials said further charges are pending. He is scheduled to appear in Rhea County General Sessions Court May 22 for a preliminary hearing.

Daniels told officials he used his own vehicle to take children to and from Spring City Baptist Church where he is a deacon.

According to Chief Deputy Charles Byrd, Daniels would drop off children at their homes after church services except the 17-year-old. He would then take the girl to a small pull-off area on Toestring Road where he allegedly sexually assaulted her, Byrd said. Byrd investigates crimes against children for the Rhea County Sheriff's Department.

Byrd said Daniels also sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl. Byrd said Daniels sexually assaulted the child in the church and on Toestring Road in the same manner the 17-year-old was molested. Byrd said Daniels first sexually molested the child when she was 10 years old in 2001. Daniels told officials he gave the girls money and gifts of soft drinks and candy in order to earn their confidence and trust.

Byrd said the children may be related and also may be related to Daniels.

Daniels' wife, Mary, said her husband of 32 years is innocent and she is behind him 100 percent. Daniels' daughters, Lisa Human, Tina Loden and Tammy Lewis said their father is a loving man and is well-liked in their community.

"It is a shame to be guilty before proven innocent," Mrs. Daniels said.

She said her husband is a good Christian man with a kind heart.

"We are trusting in God to take care of him," said Willatta Morris, William Daniels' sister.
Spring City Police Chief Donnie Janow, Officer Rusty Rogers, Rhea County Sheriff's detectives Charles Byrd, B.J. Johnson and Chris Hall assisted in the investigation.

Rogers and Janow were the first to talk with Daniels. Daniels told the Spring City Police officers, "Its hard to admit to something knowing it was wrong."

When Janow quoted scripture by saying, "the truth will set you free," Daniels replied by admitting he had sexual relations with the 17-year-old. He later admitted to molesting the 11-year-old girl, according to Janow.

Sarah B. Hodge can be reached at shodge@xtn.net.