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Man Accused Of Sexually Abusing 2 Young Relatives

By Caroline Lowe, WCCO-TV

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 29-year-old man is accused of sexually assaulting two of his relatives, both young children.

Police say they received a report that Vanlenzeo Delrentus Brent, of Minneapolis, had sexually abused both children over a five-year period. The children moved to a relative's home in Minneapolis after their mother died in another state.

Lt. Greg Reinhardt supervises the Minneapolis Police Department's Child Abuse Unit.

"This case is disturbing because the suspect would buy the silence of the children. He would use candy. He would bribe them, tell them to be quiet," he said. "Tell them I will I will harm you if you tell other people."

Reinhardt said the abuse stopped in 2008 after Brent was arrested for molesting a vulnerable adult, who was a neighbor.

"I hope Mr. Brent never gets out of jail again ... and never has any contact with any children again," Reinhardt said.

Brent has been charged with eight counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

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