A 76-year-old Cornelia man is in jail accused of molesting his granddaughters. Habersham County deputies arrested Eugene Frank Clay on Tuesday, April 5, and charged him with two counts of child molestation.
The alleged abuse took place approximately eight years ago while the girls were visiting their grandfather’s home in Cornelia. The two juveniles, now adults, told a family member about it. On September 17, 2021, the family member reported the allegations to the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, prompting an investigation.
As part of the investigation, both victims were forensically interviewed at Faith’s Power House in Toccoa. Investigators say during those interviews, both female victims told the interviewer their grandfather routinely touched them inappropriately when they were between the ages of 8 and 9 years old.
“In the Clay case, both of our victims and a third out-of-state victim all gave the same complaint about their grandfather inappropriately touching them during their childhood years,” says Habersham County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Kevin Angell.
Investigators interviewed Clay on the day he was arrested. They also interviewed his wife, Angell says.
“Due to extensive interviews and follow up, our Special Victims Unit investigators were able to arrest Mr. Clay for two counts of child molestation.”
The alleged out-of-state incident occurred in Ohio. Law enforcement there would have to handle any charges stemming from those allegations. It remains unclear whether there is an active investigation in Ohio.
Clay remains in the Habersham County Detention Center. No bond has been set.
