An East Baltimore man was arrested yesterday and charged with sexually molesting six girls, some of whom he had baby sat for in the past two years.
Police learned of the incidents after one of the children described sexual contact to her mother.
All of the children required medical treatment. Officials said their physical injuries were not severe.
Arrested was Robert Combs, 52, of the 400 block of North East Avenue. He is charged with 19 counts of child abuse, perverted practices, battery and third-degree sex offenses.
Judge Theodore B. Oshrine raised his initial $95,000 bail to $150,000 yesterday. A preliminary hearing is set for March 1. The six girls named in the charges range in age from 3 to 9.
According a mother of the girls, the home where Mr. Combs was a baby sitter was a gathering place for neighborhood children who would come to play on the family's swing set and in a shed in the backyard.
The mother, who is not being named by The Sun to protect the identity of the girl, said she called police Friday after her daughter revealed details about the abuse.
"If I ever get the chance, I'll castrate him," she said.
In court yesterday, a pretrial services official told the judge that Mr. Combs, who lives with his mother and sister, acknowledges an alcohol problem.
Mr. Combs' neighbors expressed surprise and disbelief at the charges.
"He's just a friendly type of guy. I've let him watch my kid, and I'd do it again," said one neighbor.
The mother said that she was uneasy about Mr. Combs' demeanor and had warned him not to let her daughter into the home. When he did, the mother sent her son to fetch his sister. Mr. Combs told the boy the house was for girls only, she said.
According to the woman, her daughter told of cigarette smoking parties and games with Mr. Combs, who reportedly told the children to call him "Mr. Wiggly" or "Barney."
She said she knew something was wrong when her daughter began to exhibit changes in behavior.
Police said no further charges are expected.