Ex-cop cleared of child molestation
By Anne Marie Kyzer Staff Writer

An ex-police officer for the cities of Waynesboro and Sardis has been cleared of child molestation charges by a Burke County jury.

For the first time in more than a year, Brandon Michael Fairchild, 31, was a free man Friday evening.

Fairchild was arrested last June amid allegations that he had molested his girlfriend's then 8-year-old daughter. He was later charged with additional counts of child molestation relating to the girl's younger brother.

Fairchild was held without bond in Burke County for the past 15 months.

Defense attorney Jacque Hawk told jurors that the incidents involving the children were misunderstandings and the children had been coached to make their statements to authorities.

Jurors decided he was right and found Fairchild not guilty on all four counts.