Illinois man accused of child sexual abuse in Nixa

A man from Illinois is facing a felony charge in Christian County for allegedly sexually abusing a child.

Nicholas Palmer, 31, was charged last week with statutory sodomy, an unclassified felony that carries a possible life sentence.

According to a probable cause statement in the case, a child who is younger than 12 accused Palmer of sexually abusing her on multiple occasions in Nixa.

The girl allegedly reported that she did not come forward sooner because Palmer had threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the abuse.

The statement says a Nixa Police Department officer was able to independently verify that Palmer, who lives in Illinois, was in Nixa during the time frame that the girl had accused him of sexual abuse.

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Online records indicate that when the criminal charge was filed this past Wednesday, Christian County prosecutors also requested a warrant for Palmer's arrest.

Palmer does not have a defense attorney listed for this case.