Baker Police arrested a Baton Rouge man last Wednesday, May 11, for allegedly raping a small child.

Police Chief Mike "Snapper" Knaps said Israel Derron Kenneth Turner, 23, of Baton Rouge, raped the child who was left in his care by the girl's mother on Tuesday, May 3.

Knaps said detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division, along with deputies from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, apprehended Turner without incident at his residence located at 5624 St. Gerard Avenue in Baton Rouge and charged him with the aggravated rape of a female family member. He faces life in prison if convicted.

According to Knaps, the incident was discovered after a complaint, which had been filed by the victim’s mother, led to an investigation into the matter.

It was discovered that on May 3, Turner had committed inappropriate actions with the victim after he had been entrusted to watch the child while the mother was away from the home, said Knaps.

The victim, whose name has not been released due to her age, was referred to doctors and therapists for treatment and counseling.

Turner was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on one count of aggravated rape which carries a term of life imprisonment if convicted.

After Turner was escorted from the BPD last Wenesday, Chief Knaps gave a brief press conference.

"It's always a sad day when a crime against a child is committed," said Knaps. "When you mess with my children you mess with me directly."

"I have no sympathy for anyone who violates a young child, especially someone who he knew," Knaps said. "We look forward to prosecuting [him]."