Published: April 27, 2007 10:52 am      

McAlester couple arrested for child molestation remains in jail

A McAlester couple arrested in connection with a child molestation case remained jailed this morning.

Franklin Dewayne Casteel, 42, is being held in lieu of $100,000 bond. Rhonda Leonard, 23, is being held in lieu of $50,000 bond.

Casteel is charged with first-degree rape by instrumentation for allegedly using his finger to penetrate the vagina of a 3-year-old girl.

If convicted he could be sentenced to prison for a minimum of five years. The maximum punishment is life without the possibility of parole.

Leonard is charged with child endangerment, permitting abuse, for allegedly knowingly permitting the sexual abuse.

She could be fined $5,000, imprisoned for four years or both.

Contact Doug Russell at drussell@mcalesternews.com