GIRARD Man, 71, faces charge in case involving girl

Girard police will be taking more statements in the case.
GIRARD -- A 71-year-old man known as "Grandpa Bill" is charged with touching a girl inappropriately.
William McCullough, of Jones Court, appeared Tuesday in municipal court on a charge of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 22.
He is being held in the Trumbull County Jail in lieu of a $30,000 bond.
Capt. Frank Bigowsky said the case continues to be investigated by police, the city prosecutor and Trumbull County Children Services.
Statements to police: Six girls from age 7 to 13 have given statements to police, along with their families, he explained.
Bigowsky alleged that McCullough became friends and gained the trust of six Youngstown families. They referred to him affectionately as "Grandpa Bill."
McCullough would either pick the children up at their homes and bring them to Girard to stay overnight or the parents would drop their children off at McCullough's house, Bigowksy said.
The captain said three families went to Mahoning County authorities to file a complaint, and they were referred to Girard police because that's where the offense allegedly occurred.
Bigowsky said the families went to authorities because of allegations the children were bringing to their parents about McCullough.
The charge was filed after police got a search warrant and went through McCullough's home Monday. Bigowsky would not say what was found in the house.
Police have statements from children of five families and will be interviewing the children of a sixth.