Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MORGAN — A man who police say has been sneaking into a young girl's house and hiding under her bed is facing numerous charges.
Garrett Brent Henstra Bills, 25, of Morgan, was charged Monday in 2nd District Court with aggravated burglary and aggravated sex abuse of a child, both first-degree felonies; and two counts of burglary, second-degree felonies.
The investigation began Friday about 4:40 a.m. when Morgan County sheriff's deputies were called to a residence on a report of burglary. When deputies arrived, they found Bills and the homeowner fighting, according to charging documents. The homeowner later told police that he had found Bills — who was "wearing all black clothing with a shirt tied as a mask on his face" — hiding under his 7-year-old daughter's bed, the charges state.
As the homeowner attempted to detain Bills, a struggle ensued.
"Both parties stated that the altercation spilled out into the hallway, and based on the suspect's action, caused the homeowner and the suspect to fall down the stairs in the home causing injuries to the homeowner," according to the charges.
Detectives learned that Bills had allegedly entered the girl's room multiple times over the past three weeks, and hid under her bed, the charges state.
"The victim disclosed that she had observed a male in all black, and wearing a mask come into her room on three total occasions," according to the charges. "It should be noted that Garrett is a stranger to all parties in the victim's residence."
When questioned by police following his arrest, "Garrett stated he did not know who the house belonged to and stated he was not sure why he went into the residence, but stated it could have been to steal some money," according to a police booking affidavit.
Deputies found an open window in the kitchen with a missing screen and a backpack belonging to Bills outside the window, the affidavit states.
After his arrest, and after talking with the girl, detectives learned that Bills also inappropriately touched the girl one of the times he entered her room, the charges state.
