Police: Man kissed girl in her mouth and improperly touched her

A 6-year-old girl was kissed in the mouth and inappropriately touched by a man accused of molesting her almost two years ago, a Columbus police detective testified Wednesday in Recorder's Court.

Franklin Smith, 41, pleaded not guilty to one count of child molestation in connection with a March 2016 incident in the Hamilton Road area. Judge Julius Hunter set bond at $20,000 and ordered Smith not to have any contact with the child if he makes bond. He bound the charge over to Superior Court.

Police Detective Amanda Hogan of the Special Victims Unit said the man kissed the girl and touched her under her clothes. The girl also was forced to improperly touch the man after exposing himself to her. The girl first told the incident to a guidance counselor at an elementary school.

For up to a year, Hogan said police attempted to reach Franklin but he wasn't arrested until Monday.

No medical exam was conducted on the child.

Before setting a bond, the judge considered a request to change the charge from molestation to aggravated child molestation but it was denied. The judge was also informed about a previous accusation against Smith but no charge was filed.

Smith was represented by public defender Michael Bodiford but he didn't testify. Bodiford asked the judge for an appropriate bond for Smith who has faced some health problems.

Ben Wright: 706-571-8576, @bfwright87

This story was originally published December 13, 2017 at 5:07 PM with the headline "Police: Man kissed girl in her mouth and improperly touched her."