McDavid Woman Indicted On Child Sex Charges After Husband’s Death

November 29, 2010

A McDavid woman has been indicted on child sex charges after authorities found evidence against her as they investigated the apparent suicide of her husband.

Karen D. Rice, 42, of West Bogia Road, was indicted by an Escambia County (Ala.) grand jury on two counts of sexual abuse on a boy under the age of 12 and one count of first degree sodomy.

The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office located the unnamed evidence against Rice while investigating the death of her husband, Atmore dentist Dr. Thomas Rice, late last year. She was released from the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center on $300,000 bond.

Dr.  Thomas Alvin Rice, Jr., 54, was found dead from a gunshot wound at his Nokomis home on November 21, 2009. Authorities said the death was an apparent suicide and unrelated to any alleged marital problems between the couple.

Comments

57 Responses to “McDavid Woman Indicted On Child Sex Charges After Husband’s Death”

  1. anonymous on December 10th, 2010 9:42 pm

    i will pray for all of you who are bold enough to write about a situation you dont even know the full story to. People are quick to judge someone else, but when something comes up about them, ooooohhhh no he/she would never do that!!! It says in the BIBLE that GOD SHALL BE THE ONLY JUDGE!!!! And i think a lot of us should leave it at that. I know the comment is a little late but hadnt had the chance before!!! I hope many of you have learned a lesson!!!

  2. David Huie Green on December 2nd, 2010 1:26 pm

    The one you were probably looking for comes from First Timothy 5:19 for dealings with elders within the church, and the only punishment from a church was excommunication, or being shunned by the members. Of course, she wasn’t an elder, young thing that she is, and note the requirement of witnesses, not gossips.

    New International Version (©1984)
    Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.

    New Living Translation (©2007)
    Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.

    English Standard Version (©2001)

    Deuteronomy 17:6 On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
    ——————————————–
    Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
    —————————————–
    New International Version ©1984 by Biblica
    Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

    New American Standard Bible (©1995)
    Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.

    International Standard Version (©2008)
    Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported “by two or three witnesses.”

    GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995)
    Don’t pay attention to an accusation against a spiritual leader unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.

    King James Bible
    Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

    David the ever-helpful

  3. One of the neighbors on December 2nd, 2010 10:32 am

    Curious,
    I’m not defending her because I don’t know her and I don’t know the alleged victim (at least, I don’t think I do, lol). I’m just saying that the crowd here seems to have already convicted her based on an article that doesn’t really give us much to go on and personal knowledge of her personality. Neither of those is sufficient in my mind. I have to have cold hard facts, not hearsay and rumors.

    When I was much younger, I believed everything that I saw on the news or read in the paper. After a couple of incidents in which I witnessed something and then watched it on the news and what I saw on tv was NOT the truth, I realized that the media includes the facts they want you to know and then disregard the ones they don’t. (Sorry, William, no offense intended. I think you do an absolutely wonderful job!)

    I was a witness to another situation in which the word of a crackhead who was drunk at the time was used to convict a man of something he did not do. That man went to prison. Some of you who know him would probably say he deserves to be there. I’m not arguing his other activities. I’m only arguing that he was sent to prison for a false accusation, which is wrong in my book. You should be punished only for what you actually do (and occasionally what you fail to do) and not just because somebody said you did. I could say I saw you murder a man. Does that make it true? Of course not. Not only was this man sent to prison, but an article was printed in the Ledger that completely misrepresented the entire situation. My presence was because I was broke down in the middle of the road and the situation happened right in front of me between a man who stopped to help me and a drunken crack addict who came up. The way the story was printed it appeared that I was off partying with the Good Samaritan. When I called Joe at the Ledger and asked that he print the truth (not just my word but that of the other four people who saw all this), he refused. He told me that what he had printed was based on the statement given on the police report and therefore, it was accurate….no matter what the real truth was. I lost all faith in media at that point. It made me wonder how many other things and situations I had seen or heard and judged…..that were NOT true either. It’s mind boggling.

    For this reason, I am not going to assume that this woman did anything just because she is accused and because some people don’t like her. That doesn’t make her guilty of anything. I’m just angered and concerned at the comments that reflect absolute conviction of her guilt just because they don’t care for her and the fact that people purport to have “known” that she was doing this (if it is true) and doing nothing. It is our responsibility as a society to stand up for truth and justice. So far, I see neither of these being done. That saddens me deeply.

  4. David Huie Green on December 2nd, 2010 10:24 am

    REGARDING:
    “The Bible teaches us not to pay attention to gossip, but it also clearly has a reference stating that if you hear the same thing, from three different reliable sources, then you really need to take a closer look especially if you are effected by this person/actions.
    I will try to locate and post.”

    You won’t find it.

    It does allow people to be executed at the word of two witnesses (not three), but that requires the witnesses to be credible. (They tried to find witnesses against Jesus but the witnesses never agreed despite having been paid to do so.)

    That’s why the penalty for perjury should be at least as bad as for the crime under consideration. If my word could send a person to his death, my perjury to do so should be treated at least as attempted murder since that would be my goal.

    That being said, our laws are not set by the Bible but are written by humans. The Bible can give good ideas as to what to write but a big danger would be that one person would “translate” it to say what it really didn’t say in the first place. I’ve seen that happen many a time; sometimes to the point of reversing the meaning altogether. Another problem is that not everybody in America has signed on to follow the Bible–unlike the children of Israel who promised to keep every word and follow it faithfully down through all generations. (They didn’t do it, but they promised they would.)

    David thinking people are quoting
    the Book of Hezekiah again

  5. curious.... on December 2nd, 2010 8:09 am

    and to the supporters: you will have to forgive some of us, she is slicker than the bp oil spill, so some of us are sinning and finding enjoyment in the fact that karma has finally arrived…do not mean to offend the good people here…and if it ever gets into a courtroom, then most of you will understand what some of us has been taking about.

  6. curious.... on December 2nd, 2010 7:45 am

    and it will come out she had a scape goat up until a year ago………….that is the difference between then and now.

  7. curious.... on December 2nd, 2010 7:31 am

    this happened a long time ago neighbor….i think somebody did keep on……hello, she JUST got indicted.

  8. curious.... on December 2nd, 2010 7:25 am

    Whatever neighbor when she has her days in court, it will all come out. There is a paper trail five miles long……………

  9. David Huie Green on December 2nd, 2010 7:21 am

    REGARDING:
    “Hey – David Huie Green – Get a grip she is G U I L T Y – It is on Video “That means PROOF” Just because you walk into a church does not mean you’re a saint. ”

    People are factually innocent or guilty when they do anything. They are legally guilty only once a jury determines it to be so.

    I don’t know what you are talking about with the “church” statement. I know I never mentioned any church when I said what the legal and historical reason is for setting bond.

    It’s not a matter of getting a grip, it’s a matter of not jumping the gun. If YOU saw some incriminating video being made, then YOU know of guilt. If you have heard of some sort of possibly incriminating video existing, then you have hear-say–rumor. Would you like to spend your life in prison based on rumor?

    David who’s heard many an interesting rumor
    some of which were true

  10. One of the neighbors on December 1st, 2010 11:49 pm

    i must admit that I pondered that question (why do you think she’s in Florida?) for several before it occurred to me that you meant she had fled from another state in order to avoid prosecution or did I misunderstand it? If that was the correct meaning, why would she not have been charged with fleeing in order to avoid prosecution? That IS a valid charge. I may have the name of it wrong but I know that’s what it means. (IS that the name, John?)

    I’m sorry, but if I thought something like that was happening, I would report it and I would keep doing so until something was done. If the person moved, I’d find out where they had gone and keep reporting it there too. It’s not that hard, especially in this day and age, to find out where anybody is. Between the internet and the post office, you really can’t just disappear unless you have been the victim of foul play or you spend bookoodles of money to hide your tracks. Either way, that does NOT appear to have been the case here.

  11. curious.... on December 1st, 2010 11:27 pm

    and on the earlier comment about people did try to do something, why do you think she is in Florida?

  12. curious.... on December 1st, 2010 11:21 pm

    knowing someone for a year or so, does not constitute knowing someone. Has any of you that has recently came into her life (within a yr or so) stopped to ask yourself why would anyone make such allegations? Why are you so quick to defend her against a child and call it greed? She is an adult and can provide protection for herself, this child cannot. Since some of you are adamant this is about greed, then she can afford a competent legal team. So, she should have no worries then.

    And if she is proven not guilty I will certainly be person enough to apologize. And I would hope that those of you who are convinced of her innocence would at least offer up the fact that you were conned too.

    I have to agree with Jake and the two areas are not that far apart. Are you kidding me?

  13. JTG on December 1st, 2010 10:05 pm

    I think everyone needs to wait if any real proof can be shown against her than fine,but if they can find proof then it is a horrific crime. That is only if they have real proof and get a conviction. People also need to remeber that she isn’t the only one affected has anyone stopped to think how her family is being affected by this. How the victim (If there is one) is affected I mean come on think logically and wait till the final decision she is innocent until proven guilty.

  14. jake on December 1st, 2010 9:27 pm

    to Christiana and your response ‘if your low enough to disrespect her’. Are you friggin kidding us. People earn respect and there has definitely been nothing earned with this con. Take a poll in the community that has dealt with IT, you would be the minority by a landslide. Since she’s gotten away with everything else, at least protect the children. The child has been through enough without the “shallow” conned people to say he’s made it up.

  15. curious.... on December 1st, 2010 4:38 pm

    there were people who tried to do something…

  16. One of the neighbors on December 1st, 2010 4:08 pm

    Grand jury rules are a lot different from those for a regular jury. A grand jury has only to decide that there is enough “evidence” to think that a crime MAY have been commited by the person being accused. A regular jury must ponder the evidence and then determine that that evidence proves BEYOND ANY REASONABLE DOUBT that the accused did indeed perpetrate that crime.

    Amanda is right…..if you thought something like this was going on, you had a legal and indeed a moral obligation to report it. If you didn’t, then you are, in my mind, just as if not MORE guilty than the perpatrator. I believe there is an old saying about all evil needs to thrive is for good men to do nothing. That is just as apt today as when it was written. If you stand by and do nothing when something wrong, especially something so heinous as what this woman is accused of doing,is happening then you not only allowed it to happen but you even encouraged it and you have forfeited all right to pass judgement because you KNEW about it and did nothing to stop it. Shame!

    And to question if her husband was “also involved” is implying that you have inside knowledge as to whether or not the crime was committed and if so, that it was committed by the accused. Now how would you have that unless you were involved yourself? All who keep saying that they KNOW she did this, shame on you for telling a lie. You don’t know if she did or not unless you actually witnessed this. Did you? If so, as I said above…..SHAME!

    Now, unless I misunderstood the article, it did NOT say what the evidence was. It said it was “unnamed” so how come I see people talking about photos and video?

    The wonderful thing about our country is that we are innocent until proven guilty. You certainly wouldn’t know it from reading these comments though since the majority seem to have already tried and convicted this woman without having any of the evidence in hand. Wow, aren’t we some smart ones that we don’t need any proof to decide if something happened? What a closeminded bunch we are.

  17. curious.... on December 1st, 2010 2:35 pm

    true. she just didn’t get the religion. my granny always said if your scared go to church. you can bet there was some strategy to it…..

  18. Just Me on December 1st, 2010 2:13 pm

    Hey – David Huie Green – Get a grip she is G U I L T Y – It is on Video “That means PROOF” OMG people if you know her you knwo she is Guilty WTH!! Just because you walk into a church does not mean your a saint. Ther eis so much more I could say but per the rules I have to keep my thoughts to my self. ERRRR

  19. Just Me on December 1st, 2010 2:02 pm

    OMG!!! Seriously…..They let that her out! How on earth can you even think about touching a 12 year old boy…how many more are there…I have seen her action and as they say action speak for them self. I say no Bail and throw away the key!!!

  20. curious.... on December 1st, 2010 12:52 pm

    @ amanda/james…that is the wonderful thing about a courtroom, EVERYTHING, comes out. How many times you been married, how many people you have upset, how many times you been pregnant, people that you owe money, how many dances did you go to in high school, everything that is in the closet comes out.

    The Bible teaches us not to pay attention to gossip, but it also clearly has a reference stating that if you hear the same thing, from three different reliable sources, then you really need to take a closer look especially if you are effected by this person/actions.
    I will try to locate and post.

    However, like in any situation, there are always warning signs, red flags, things that you know as an adult, just are not right. And as time goes on, you learn and you start to notice peoples patterns. Patterns alone tell quite alot about a person without saying a word. And knowing a person for one year, does not constitute “knowing” them. Just saying….

  21. educator on December 1st, 2010 6:14 am

    ■curious….

    Thank you. It is nice to see that someone can make sense and make a complete sentence.

  22. curious.... on November 30th, 2010 11:37 pm

    I have always been told to believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see. Our communities are good communities and we are human. And it is only natural to question things that we do not understand. How we question it is the point.

    I think that considering the nature of this case, it would be best for it to be played out in a court of law. But, before christian adults get on here and defend her to be this great person, they might consider the victim is reading this. Regardless, they do not need to be called a liar and someone that is just making this up, they deserve their day as well.
    And folks I personally know everyone involved and my suggestion is not to get caught up, if she has changed and is a good person, she has done so in the last year. What about all the damage before then? Does she just get a free pass? People only let us know, what they want us to know…just keep that in mind, this child is reaching out…whether it is appropriately or not, it is evident there is alot of pain here. And my friends…that pain came from somewhere and somebody.

  23. curious.... on November 30th, 2010 9:00 pm

    just by what few details that will be allowed on here, there is another person who knows the truth. This person needs to be honest and remember that honesty is the only thing that can lead to peace. I know you are young, but nothing or nobody is more important than the truth.

  24. Savannah on November 30th, 2010 8:50 pm

    Dont always believe what you see or read because some times they are not true!

    Savannah:)

  25. curious.... on November 30th, 2010 8:48 pm

    and those of you that have defended her will be ashamed for falling for the con like so many of us has before……just sayin….been there done that..and i totally believe it…

  26. me on November 30th, 2010 8:21 pm

    this whole situation bothers me…..some say she’s guilty, some (friends) say she’s not….she’s not capable of doing something like this. Well, we never THINK our children’s teachers, fathers, mothers, aunts or uncles etc are ever capable of molesting children either, but they do, everyday. if she’s not guilty, i hope she finds peace in her life, BUT, if she is guilty, I expect (or don’t expect) to see her friends on here passing judgement on anyone else again. Don’t assume that just because you know someone or are related to them that they can’t have skeletons in the closet and then be totally normal acting around others…this is how they get away with it. I always heard when a jury, whether it be the grand jury or other found enough evidence to indict, there is always something to it. Guess this will be interesting to wait out, we were just discussing Dr. Rice’s death and were wondering if it was going to be swept under the rug.

  27. Amanda/James on November 30th, 2010 7:55 pm

    We should not past judgement whether she is innocent or guilty. A jury will decide from the evidence presented. This is America, a person is still innocent until they are proven guilty in a court of law.
    Karen, you stated you knew what was going on, you have an obligation to report things such as that. You chose not to take a stand. So dont be so quick to cast a stone.
    Cathy, you are right on !! We are praying for all those involved !

  28. Christiana on November 30th, 2010 7:46 pm

    It’s really sad no one has anything good to say except how awful she is or how guilty she is. Those of us who know Mrs. Rice know she is a good person. She has faults like the rest of us but this is far from a fault of her’s. This is a sick joke greedy people are playing to get money. This is sad that people will go so low as to accuse someone of these accusations with out so much as valid proof. But trust me Karen will get her day in court and when she does prove she is innocent you owe her a huge apology. But then again if your low enough to disrespect her then your definitaly low enough to not apologize. What people should be focused on is. How anyone can just accuse you of something with out a shred of evidance but a statement and you go to jail for it. So if example your son or daughter gets mad at you and accuses you of something resulting in your arrest. You will be slandered by the public on false charges. How does that show us as a good community.

    Also to those who think they know so much as to what the death certificate says. Well you people need lives. Seriously let the poor man lay in peace and quit dragging this family thru the mud. Get a life and grow up. Move on! And it just shows that people are out to get someone for a crime they feel she commited when a GRAND JURY ruled it a suicide. As shown above in the news article. And for those of you that will argue that point we can say well if the paper posted false info about the suicide. Then who is to say where they are getting there information is vaild? So why not wait to see what comes of the court hearing before u go slandering a person for something, those of us know her as not being capable of doing?

  29. Cathy on November 30th, 2010 7:10 pm

    Our Prayers to everyone involved, Some thought needs to be put into posted comments. Don’t believe everything you read. I would hate to think you jumped to a guilty decision from hearsay and what the paper prints. We need to really pray that some of you” fast decision makers” never get picked for jury duty. Think about it if you were in her shoes and innocent.

  30. Caroline on November 30th, 2010 5:07 pm

    Dr. Rice was a dentist.

    He did a lot of work for the Atmore Christian Ministry. He also went into the schools to teach the importance of good dental hygiene.

    It was said that if you needed help but did not have the money, he would still treat you. No one who needed dental care was ever turned away.

    He contributed a lot to the Atmore community.

  31. dick tracy on November 30th, 2010 4:59 pm

    What kind of Dr. was this Dr. Rice? And where was his office? Just curios…..

  32. question on November 30th, 2010 3:57 pm

    If nthis a big joke why would you use your chidren in this joke .Just sick!

  33. Horrific on November 30th, 2010 3:42 pm

    I have said it for a long time now that the law enforcement here has problems,
    but because I have pointed it out that some are crooked and have jaded do
    nothing attitudes any problem I have clear out here in the boonies is strictly
    MY PROBLEM…..that doesn’t matter they did nothing anyway……

    No one wants to do anything here about the lazy good ole boy things that
    occur even among our ppl WE PAY to Protect us from the bad guys as long
    as their not the ones being picked on, besides too many ppl
    know each other here and if anyone says anything your car and home are vandalized to say nothing of yourself.

    This place will be a long time a changin as long as the bad guys run the show…….don’t hold your breath…..

  34. dude on November 30th, 2010 3:13 pm

    i dont know if she is guilty or not but it sure does bother me that women that do this type of thing get a slap on the wrist . and if a man was to do the same thing he would be put under the jail. just look at these women teachers that are in the media for this and most never serve a prison sentence.

  35. Caroline on November 30th, 2010 2:34 pm

    Dr. Rice’s death certificate lists “undetermined” as the cause of death. According to a coroner from another county in Alabama, if it was suicide, it would be listed.
    If it is not, it is murder.

    But from the beginning, local law enforcement has wanted to call the death suicide.

    His case has never really been investigated. People were never interviewed.
    The local police protected the wife and allowed her to take items from the estate.

    The cell phone with her threatening messages. Who knows where it is?
    The computer with incriminating evidence. Who knows where it is?

    I think that the people of Atmore and Escambia County should take a long hard look at their local law enforcement.

  36. Dixie Chick on November 30th, 2010 1:26 pm

    I’m glad they finally got her on something!!

  37. Karen on November 30th, 2010 10:22 am

    At caring… To your statement that those who know her know it didnt happen, wrong, some of us who know her know that it did happen and knew it was going on. Just sayin!! Didnt know to that extent, but knew something wasnt right.

  38. molino jim on November 30th, 2010 8:55 am

    John @molino is more on target than a lot of people will want to believe. William would not print my comment because it had to much info in it. Knowing how the legal system works the grand jury only hears what the state wants them to hear at this point. If there are photos (and I question that) go to “Photo Shop” and other sites and you can print out a photo of yourself standing next to George Washington. Hate and or the fight over money can make odd things happen.

  39. t on November 30th, 2010 6:54 am

    I wonder if it is a ‘hoax’, does that mean the law enforcement officers made up the evidence they found? When evidence is found, doesn’t that mean they have something pointing to her guilty? And if this isn’t true, where did the evidence come from? Did her exhusband frame her from the grave? And as one comment stated, she is a snake in the gtass…her previous actipns toward some peole might not have helped this situation at all. I personally would hope that the law would not have just arrested her on made up evidence.

  40. local resident on November 30th, 2010 6:06 am

    Pictures don’t lie, unless someone’s really good a photo shop! Hopefully the whole truth will come out soon.

  41. Just My 2 Cents on November 30th, 2010 3:36 am

    David Huie Green,
    I think some people like the free room and board of our jails……lol

  42. caring person on November 29th, 2010 10:33 pm

    well the truth will come out soon enough.. This whole thing is a hoax….. Its all about money…….. Friends who know her and the accused know the real deal… It did not happen!!!!!!!

  43. JohnMolino on November 29th, 2010 4:54 pm

    @ Big Al
    Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. But still, to off yourself because of what your wife did/does is way over the top crazy. I wonder if he himself was also involved? Casts a dark cloud over him as well. He’s dead,so we probably will never know.

    “There is no witness so terrible, no accuser so powerful as conscience which dwells within us.”

  44. Karen on November 29th, 2010 3:58 pm

    She is a snake in the grass!!! I believe every word that is said!!!

  45. David Huie Green on November 29th, 2010 2:45 pm

    REGARDING:
    “Really…. Child sex charges? And she is allowed bond …why? She should still be in jail .”

    Same as always, she has not been found guilty in a court of law at this time, she may never be.

    If people could be jailed without bail or with $10,000,000,000,000.32,000 bail, someone could charge you with a crime, keep you in jail for a year, release you when found not guilty, charge you with some other crime a minute later, keep you in jail until that trial when you would be found not guilty, charge you with a third crime, . . . You could be kept in jail for your entire life without ever being convicted of a single thing.

    If that sounds silly, please understand that is exactly what some British judges did ere we parted company with England and is exactly why the Constitution insists excessive bail not be set.

    David for the Constitution
    while protecting children

  46. niki on November 29th, 2010 2:04 pm

    UNDER the age of 12? really, lady?! how bizarre.

  47. Chumuckla Proud on November 29th, 2010 1:45 pm

    Released?? You’ve got to be kidding me!

  48. Realist on November 29th, 2010 1:19 pm

    Well where to start. First off maybe people should quit assuming something just cause the paper posts it. Anyone who knows Mrs. Rice and the other person involved knows this is a huge joke. This infact should be a huge wake up call to any parent. With out any cause you can be accused of off the wall accusations and be slandered with out even having a trial. So my question is how do we know she is guilty? We don’t! So maybe the fact is people assume before they know the whole situation. What a sad world we live in.

  49. Name (required) on November 29th, 2010 12:51 pm

    Very difficult to form an opinion on what has happened here with the information available…. what ever has gone on, it appears to be a very sad situation.

  50. Concerned citizen on November 29th, 2010 10:37 am

    Really…. Child sex charges? And she is allowed bond …why? She should still be in jail .

  51. HomeFry on November 29th, 2010 10:02 am

    Look at all the Priest, pastors, teachers and officers that are being caught these days! Yes, trust yourself and everyone else family included must be kept at arms length. It’s been going on forever the difference is with TV, radio, internet and cell phones we hear about everyday. Think about the ones who sit in silence to scared or ashamed to let it be known. My heart goes out to anyone who has suffered at the hand of another.

  52. kathy on November 29th, 2010 8:42 am

    She will probably get less time than a 1st time drug offender!

  53. OldMarine on November 29th, 2010 6:47 am

    The Old woman sure got out of jail fast .

  54. t on November 29th, 2010 6:33 am

    So how long in prison does she get for this? I hope not a slap on the wrist.

  55. Big Al on November 29th, 2010 4:23 am

    I wonder if Dr. Rice found out what his Loving Wife was doing and could not bear to face the public Scandal. Just Wondering???

  56. Just My 2 Cents on November 29th, 2010 3:06 am

    Best thing is to never trust anyone now-a-days. This woman sickens me!

  57. jimmy on November 29th, 2010 12:16 am

    do you ever really know your neighbors? I guess you should always be careful who you trust!