JACKSON—A Gaston man has been arrested and charged after he allegedly exposed himself to three children.

According to Northampton County Sheriff’s Chief Detective Captain D.M. Harmon, Kenneth Wayne High, 43 of 584 Gus Smith Road in Gaston, was taken into custody by the Sheriff’s Office early Tuesday morning.

High stands charged with three counts of indecent liberties with children.

Harmon said the charges against High stem from an incident reported on September 14 by a mother who resides in Gaston.

Harmon said the mother had just finished grocery shopping in nearby Roanoke Rapids with her three small children and a male friend when the suspect approached her.

High, who was allegedly intoxicated at the time, asked if he could get a ride home.

“The mother knew him and agreed and he got into the back of the van with her children,” said Harmon. “Once they reached Gaston she had to make a stop at a friend’s home.”

Harmon said while the mother was in the friend’s home, the children were left inside the van with her male friend and High. During that time High allegedly exposed himself to the three children.

“When the mother returned she dropped Mr. High off and upon reaching her home she was informed by her children as to what had just happened,” said Harmon.

High was placed in the Northampton County Jail under a $30,000 secured bond. His first court appearance is Oct. 9.