CHESAPEAKE

Last month, the city's Department of Social Services found that a Chesapeake father had sexually molested his 8-year-old daughter.

The father, however, contends it was a misunderstanding. He has filed a civil action against the Chesapeake Department of Social Services, seeking to appeal its finding and have the claim against him dismissed as unfounded. The civil action was filed recently in Chesapeake Circuit Court.

The father argues that social service's finding on March 18 was incorrect and that he had a compelling explanation.

He contends he had been diagnosed with irritable bowl syndrome and was checking the body of his child to see whether she also had the condition, according to the civil action.