Child Rape Suspect Will Face Charges in Nevada

LAS VEGAS — An 11-year-old girl will be heading back to Gary, Ind., while her former Baptist school principal remains in Las Vegas to face state charges that he kidnapped and raped her, courts decided Friday.

William A. Beith, 28, stood with 20 other shackled prisoners while his new Nevada defense lawyer, Michael Cristalli, spoke on his behalf. No plea was entered.

Cristalli told Clark County Justice Court Judge Marley Robinson he was contacted Thursday night by Beith’s Indiana lawyer, Nick Thiros. He asked for a week to become familiar with the case.

“I have no idea of any of the evidence yet,” Cristalli said outside court.

The judge set a May 18 hearing during which Beith could be arraigned on state charges of first-degree kidnapping, and sexual assault and lewdness, both with a child younger than 14.

In Indiana, reports said the girl claimed she had been sexually abused, possibly by a family member.

“False allegations,” the girl’s father said on his way into a closed Family Court hearing.

Family Court Judge Gerald Hardcastle released the girl to the custody of Indiana Child Protective Services. Indiana authorities will decide on custody of the girl.