Marshall County authorities have charged a 48-year-old Geraldine man with sodomy and sexual abuse of a six-year-old child.

Billy Lee was arrested on Thursday. He is being held in the Marshall County Jail without bond.

According to the sheriff’s office, Lee was taken into custody following an investigation that began the evening of Dec. 28.

Deputies responded to a residence near Swearengin, where the parents of a six-year-old told them that their child said a visiting family member, identified as Lee, had engaged in sexual contact.

At the time, Lee was “highly intoxicated” and was found unconscious inside a bedroom at the residence. He was taken into custody because of active warrants through Fyffe police.

According to the sheriff’s office, Lee was released by the Alabama Department of Corrections in October on a mandatory release.

Based on interviews with the child by the Children’s Advocacy Center, Lee is accused of fondling and performing oral sex on the child.

“Sex-crimes involving young children typically get reported months, or even years, after the events took place, which makes investigating those cases very difficult,” a statement from the sheriff’s office reads.

“Victims often don’t recall the specific details, and family members are often too embarrassed or ashamed to report those crimes, which makes prosecution of those cases even more difficult. Thankfully, the parents of this child immediately knew something was wrong, and made an early disclosure to the Sheriff’s Office.”