By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com

A 13-year-old girl testified in Rowan Superior Court this morning that her stepfather raped her and said it was their “little secret.”
The stepfather is on trial this week on incest charges. The Post is withholding his name to avoid identifying the victim.
The girl was about 8 years old at the time of the incidents. She testified Tuesday in court about the abuse.
A neighbor also testified that the girl told her in confidence. The neighbor contacted the Rowan County Department of Social Services.
Local pediatrician Dr. Kathleen Russo told jurors she examined the girl and interviewed her in 2007. The girl described to the doctor what happened and how many times. The victim, via a taped interview with the doctor, said the defendant raped her.
“He hurt me,” she said.
The girl said the defendant told her it was their “little secret.”
See Wednesday’s Post for more details.