New Developments in Cleveland Gang Rape Case

CLEVELAND, Texas - For the past 4 months, horrific allegations of sexual assault against an 11-year-old child have rocked the small Texas town of Cleveland.

Cleveland is the sort of small town where everyone knows everyone, and the men and boys accused in this crime include high school star athletes, the son of an elected leader, and older men with criminal records.

In all, 16 people have been arrested, and while no one from the Cleveland Police department would grant an on-the-record interview, sources say more arrests could be on the way.

The most recent arrests took place on March 4. Four students , including two members of the Cleveland High School basketball team, were arrested.

The high school basketball team is coached by the younger brother of Cleveland's assistant police chief. As the boys made their first court appearance at the Liberty County Courthouse, Assistant Police Chief Darrel Broussard shot down rumors that his investigators waited until basketball season was over before they arrested his brother's players.

"I have not been directly involved in the investigation," Broussard said. "All the adults were indicted on one day. The cases involving minors were handled through the county attorney's office."

The basketball players in question include a sophomore and a junior. Both are underage.

Timothy Ellis, 19, is among the adults now charged in the crime. His mother, Anita Ellis Hancock, spoke to FOX 26 News on Monday.

FOX 26: When you found out that your son was accused of raping an 11 year old girl...(interrupted by Hancock)

Hancock: It was in the paper.

FOX 26: What did you do? Did you talk to your son?

Hancock: Yes I did. Yes I did. I said, 'Baby, I'm your momma. You can talk to me.' (The victim) said she was 17 years old and that's what he told me.

FOX 26: But Anita, a lot of people would say, 'This is an 11 year old child. Even if she lied, she's eleven.'

Hancock: I understand that. I understand that. I'm not defending him. I'm not defending her. I'm not defending no child because if it were my child, I would feel the same way. My point is, where was her mother?

FOX 26: If this was reversed. If your son wasn't your son, but you were the mother of this 11 year old, what would you do? What would you say? What is justice?

Hancock: First of all, I would know where she was. That's the justice. Not knowing where your baby is is not justice. I feel like she should be accounted for not knowing where your baby at.

FOX 26: What lesson does you son need to learn?

Hancock: ID. Identification. This (holding up nametag and picture) is what you ask for baby.

FOX 26: So you're going to tell your son, next time he meets a girl to ask for her ID?

Hancock: Identification.

FOX 26: Are you mad at your son?

Hancock: Am I mad at him? For not being alert of age and not asking 'how old are you?' He was the only one who turned himself in because he felt bad because he has nieces. He said, "Mama ain't no way.' You can just feel the hurt.

FOX 26 does not identify victims of sexual assaults or their families. Up until recently, the victim's family lived just outside the Cleveland city limits. Neighbors say the family moved on Sunday in order to get away from the fallout surrounding the case.

>> Watch the video for Kristine Galvan's television report and her interview with a suspect's mother (non-mobile)

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