Beaumont, TX — A 43-year-old man has been arrested on multiple charges after Beaumont police said children witnessed him exposing himself and engaging in a sexual act in public, while investigators linked him to reports of similar behavior near a daycare.
Beaumont Police responded Monday, August 24, to the 3600 block of South 4th Street after receiving a report of a man exposing himself and engaging in a sexual act near a residence. Police said several children witnessed the incident and the suspect appeared to be directing the behavior toward them.
The suspect, identified as Dedric Earl Cummings, 43, was already the subject of a Beaumont Police Special Crimes investigation involving alleged similar behavior outside a daycare in the 2700 block of West Virginia Street.
According to police, detectives had developed information indicating Cummings was exposing himself and engaging in sexually explicit conduct where young children being dropped off at the facility could see him. Investigators also identified approximately five calls for service during the previous five days involving reports of similar behavior by Cummings.
Patrol officers located Cummings at a residence on South 4th Street and took him into custody.
While securing the residence, officers observed several child-like dolls inside. Detectives subsequently obtained a search warrant and recovered four child-like dolls, including one police said had been altered in a sexually explicit manner, along with other evidence relevant to the investigation.
Cummings was booked on:
• Two counts of Indecency with a Child by Exposure, a third-degree felony
• One count of Possession of a Child-Like Sex Doll, a state jail felony
Police said the investigation remains ongoing, additional charges are anticipated, and detectives believe other incidents may not have been reported.
HOW TO HELP
Anyone who believes they or their child may have witnessed similar behavior involving Cummings is encouraged to contact the Beaumont Police Department.
CHILD ABUSE RESOURCES
Texas Abuse Hotline:
1-800-252-5400
If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
Cummings is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.