Recently, Rainsville Police Department opened an investigation of Sexual Abuse of a minor after
receiving a complaint. As the investigation progressed, many more disturbing facts were found by
investigators. Over the next several weeks evidence was collected by search warrants and forensic
interviews. In February of 2023, a Grand Jury Indicted the suspect, Joshua Hairell of Rainsville, for the
charges Sexual Sodomy 2nd , Sexual Abuse 2nd , and Sex Abuse of a Child less than 12 years old. Hairell is
currently being held at the Dekalb County Detention Center on a $262,500.00 bond.
Chief Edmondson stated, “At Rainsville Police Department, we lose sleep over stuff like this”. “We are
seeing more and more of these types of crimes”. “We don’t take crimes like this lightly, or the criminals
who do them”. “We will aggressively pursue anyone who breaks the law and takes advantage of our
children”. He (Edmondson) added; “Crimes like this are hard on investigators, I’d like to praise the
investigators at the police department, thank you for your hard work and dedication.”