A registered sex offender was arrested Wednesday and charged with sexual abuse of a 4-year-old, investigators said Friday.

The child told investigators she had been fondled by the suspect, Eric Chad Coker, 28, of Damascus Road. He was arrested and charged with a single count of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12.

The girl’s parents reported the alleged abuse to the Escambia County Depart-ment of Human Resources.

Coker had previously been convicted of second-degree rape of a 15-year-old girl from a July 2008 incident. According to court records, he was convicted on Aug. 11 but did not serve jail time after his conviction.

The investigation was the result of a joint investigation by the Escambia Regional Child Advocacy Center, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County District Attorney’s Office, and Escambia County Department of Human Resources.

For more information about sex offenders see the sheriff’s office web site at www.escambiasheriff-al.com.