Wood arrested in ongoing sex crimes investigation

FOLEY, Ala. (WALA) - The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office has released new details about the arrest of Derek Wood.

The sheriff's office said the arrest of 21-year-old Derek Wood is the latest development in the investigation into several family members of Brittney Wood, a teen who has been missing since May 30.

"Thursday investigators arrested Derek Wood after the preliminary hearing of Dustin Kent in Bay Minette.  All these cases are related.  This is the third arrest we've had," P.I.O Anthony Lowery said.

Wood, the missing girl's brother, is charged with second-degree rape, sodomy, and incest and being held on $25,000 bond. 

Randall Wood and Dustin Kent, the missing teen's uncles, were arrested June 19 on similar charges involving a female juvenile victim.

Lowrey said it is "unfortunate that these people are related to her." FOX10 wanted to know whether the girl's disappearance was related to the investigation.

"We actually have been investigating this much longer than the time period Brittney Wood went missing.  As far as her, she's not a victim in our case, and we do have multiple victims," Lowery said.

Lowery said the Sheriff's office began it's investigation after a minor victim came forward. He said there may be one or possibly two more arrests in their investigation with one expected early this week.

Meanwhile, the father and stepmother of Brittney Wood released this statement on their Facebook page Sunday:

"In the wake of the recent arrest our focus is still the same as it's been from the beginning. Our goal is to bring Brittney home. Thanks for the continued support of family & friends.

Wallace & Stephanie Hanke.”