A Garyville man and woman were arrested Wednesday, April 5, 2023, for sexual abuse of three juveniles. Ralph Clay Nelson, 33, and Destiny Ann Georgel, 22, are facing several child sexual abuse charges.

On Thursday, March 23, 2023, the St. John Sheriff’s Office received a complaint leading to an investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse and neglect. Through investigation, detectives learned that Nelson and his live-in girlfriend, Georgel, provided a 15-year-female friend of Nelson’s daughter with numerous illegal narcotics including methamphetamine during several overnight visits at their home in Garyville.

Once Nelson, Georgel and the 15-year-old juvenile were under the influence of the illegal substances, Nelson and Georgel engaged the child in several sexual acts on separate occasions. Through further investigation, detectives located evidence and information that Nelson and Georgel were in possession of Nelson’s juvenile daughter and their infant son, while consistently under the influence of methamphetamine; and the home was in deplorable, uninhabitable, condition. Upon contact with Nelson and Georgel, they admitted to the reported allegations and were arrested.

Nelson was charged with three counts of cruelty to juveniles – non-violent (felony), third degree rape, contributing to the delinquency of juveniles (felony), child desertion (misd), three counts of illegal use of controlled drug in presence of persons under 17 years old (misd), and indecent behavior with juveniles (felony) (sex offense – registration required). Nelson is being held in custody in lieu of a $505,000 bond.

Georgel was booked with third degree rape, three counts of cruelty to juveniles non-violent (felony), child desertion (misd), and three counts of illegal use of controlled drug in presence of persons under 17 years old (misd). She is being held in custody in lieu of $465,000 bond.