HOLLADAY — A Holladay man has been arrested and accused of engaging in illegal sexual activity with a pre-teen boy.
Lawrence Cannon Dowd, 35, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Monday for investigation of six counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, two counts of object rape of a child, two counts of rape of a child, six counts of sodomy on a child and two counts of lewdness.
Police say Dowd was a "father figure" and babysitter to an 11-year-old boy in 2021.
During a recent investigation, Dowd told police that his relationship with the boy "went from 'stupid nothingness' and cuddling to escalation through play," a police booking affidavit states.
Dowd further described the alleged sexual abuse "as beautiful, sacred and healing, and explained he had different views on this and sees it as a natural thing," according to the affidavit. "(He) has made comments about the offense and does not see the actions as a bad thing, but rather a natural, normal thing."
Police have requested that Dowd be held in the Salt Lake County Jail without the possibility of posting bail pending the filing of formal charges.
