BY TANYA BRICKING
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The man accused of molesting and strangling 6-year-old Mary Love had a criminal conviction in 1991, also involving a little girl. Ralph L. Lynch -- the loner who faces an aggravated murder charge -- exposed his private parts to a 9-year-old girl, according to Hamilton County Juvenile Court records.
Mr. Lynch, 48, of Colerain Township, pleaded guilty in November 1991 to a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The Hamilton County sheriff's office had filed the charge a month earlier, stemming from an incident on Sept. 15, 1991, when he exposed himself to the girl at a Toys R Us store in Colerain Township. He was there with the girl and her 6-year-old sister.
At his arraignment at the time, Mr. Lynch waived his right to an attorney. He was sentenced to 13 months of probation on the condition that he seek counseling. That probation ended on Dec. 15, 1992. His neighbors at Springwood Village Apartments on Arborwood Drive in Colerain Township had no idea about his criminal record. They let their children play with Mr. Lynch, and he gave children stuffed animals and candy.
Police say Mr. Lynch, who worked for Rumpke Waste Collection and Disposal Systems, led them to Mary's body Friday night at a wooded area owned by Rumpke a few miles from their apartment complex.
He had been among the searchers since Mary was reported missing nine days earlier. He is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center, with his bond set at $100,000 cash. If he is convicted, he could face the death penalty.
Donald & Stewart Funeral Home, 3939 Reading Road, is handling funeral arrangements, which have not been scheduled.
Memorials may be made at any Fifth Third Bank location.
