Man Arrested on Multiple Charges Including Child Exploitation in Forrest County
The Forrest County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Michael Austin Beatty, 32, on five charges including child exploitation and sexual battery. The charges involve the alleged sexual abuse of a single victim, a child under 14, with the alleged crimes occurring…
Hattiesburg Laurel, MS, November 9, 2026 — Forrest County, MS
Authorities in Forrest County have arrested a 32-year-old man, identified as Michael Austin Beatty, on charges related to child exploitation and sexual battery. The arrest was made by the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office.
Beatty faces a total of five charges. The allegations specifically include child exploitation and sexual battery. According to information released by the Sheriff’s Office, the charges stem from the alleged sexual abuse of a single victim, who is stated to be a child under the age of 14.
The timeline provided for the alleged crimes indicates that these incidents are reported to have occurred between the years of 2019 and 2021. Further details regarding the specifics of the alleged abuse or the circumstances leading to the investigation were not immediately available.
The Forrest County Sheriff’s Office has not released additional information concerning the ongoing investigation or potential court proceedings at this time. The case remains under active investigation.
Story summarized from the original created by WDAM Staff on www.wdam.com, see more information here.
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