Fayette County man arrested on sexual assault charges

A toddler is in stable condition after she was sexually assaulted by a family friend Sunday, authorities said.

Ricky L. Putman, 42, of Arlington, is accused of first-degree sexual assault, Fayette County Sheriff Marty Fisher said.

Fisher said the deputies responded after one of the girl's parents reported the incident around 10:30 a.m.

The girl was taken to Mercy Hospital in Oelwein and later transferred to University Hospitals in Iowa City. Fisher said she was listed in stable condition.

Putman had “no relationship” to the child, Fisher said.

“I guess you would classify it as a friend of the family, or an acquaintance,” Fisher said.

Putman was found later Sunday morning at his residence and was arrested without incident, Fisher said. After a search, deputies seized several bags of evidence, authorities said. No weapon was involved, Fisher said.

Putman could face additional charges as the investigation continues, authorities said. He was being held Monday without bond, and a preliminary hearing was set for June 3.

First-degree sexual assault is a Class A felony, which means if convicted, Putman would face life in prison without parole, the same sentence as for a first-degree murder conviction.

-- KCRG-TV9's Dave Franzman contributed to this story.