LAWRENCEBURG, Tenn. — An 82-year-old man is in jail accused of raping a child, police said.

Eugene Frank Hourihan, Roberta Lane, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., is charged with rape of a child, according to a release from Lawrenceburg Police Chief Judy Moore.

Investigators said Hourihan is accused of raping an 8-year-old girl. They both attend the same church, according to reports.

Reports indicate that during the investigation by the department’s child abuse division, it was discovered that Hourihan may have sexually abused several children, and the incidents likely took place at the Lawrenceburg church where he attended with the victims and their families.

“From what we have been able to determine, this may have been going on for an extended period of time,” Lawrenceburg police detective Capt. Don Laws said.

He would not get into specifics, but investigators said this could have been going on for several years and involved a number of children.

Investigators said at least three victims, ages 6-12, have been identified.

“We believe there are others,” Laws said.

Laws said the investigation into the allegations began about three weeks ago.

According to reports, the allegations were reported to police after an adult saw Hourihan inappropriately touching the girl.

Laws said Hourihan was picked up Friday and questioned. “After interviewing him (Friday), we got information to make an immediate arrest,” Laws said.

Lawrenceburg police is requesting that parents of children who may have come in contact with Hourihan and have concerns of abuse to contact the Lawrenceburg Police Department Domestic Violence/Child Abuse Division at (931)766-1279.

Hourihan is being held in the Lawrence County Jail under a $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Lawrence County General Sessions Court on Jan. 4.

Rape of a child is a Class A felony and is punishable by 40-60 years in prison if convicted.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.