Man charged with rape of 10-year-old girl in Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A man is facing charges after police say he allegedly raped a child in the parking lot of a Bowling Green store.

According to the Bowling Green Police Department, officers arrested Elia Byiringiro, 22, of Bowling Green on Saturday after responding to a report of an assault.

Police say after an initial investigation, detectives identified and found Byiringiro, who was taken into custody.

Authorities say they learned Byiringiro, a family friend of those impacted, had offered to bring the 10-year-old girl to a store to buy groceries.

According to police, Byiringiro allegedly “forcefully raped the young girl” in the parking lot of the store on Glen Lily Road.

In a uniform citation, police say Byiringiro waived his Miranda warning and agreed to speak with officers, stating the “devil made him do it” regarding the incident.

Byiringiro remains at the Warren County Regional Jail on a $100,000 cash bond and is charged with first-degree rape, victim under 12 years of age, first-degree sodomy, victim under 12 years of age, and tampering with physical evidence.