A Butler man is accused of sexually abusing three girls between the ages of 3 and 9.

Derek Justin Hare, 38, was charged Thursday, July 2, by Butler County detectives with one felony count each of sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault, corruption of minors, criminal attempt and criminal solicitation, and one misdemeanor count each of indecent exposure and open lewdness following a May 26 report.

Police said someone familiar with the situation called 911 on May 26 to report suspected child abuse. The caller said a 3-year-old girl notified her Hare was touching her inappropriately, and the caller had knowledge of an 8- and 9-year-old girl experiencing similar abuse from Hare.

Police interviewed the children June 9. The 9-year-old girl said the abuse occurs only when the other adult in the home is at work. The 8-year-old said the most recent incident was just “a couple days” prior to the interview.

Police said Hare had sexually abused the 9-year-old on at least three occasions and had consistently made sexual comments to at least two of the girls. Hare had been in at least two of the girls’ lives for about four years.

Police said Hare told the 9-year-old that if she told her mother about the sexual abuse, her mother would get angry and hit her, and made other comments to make the girl believe the sexual abuse was normal behavior.

Hare’s preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled.