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Reality TV dad arrested on child rape charge, officials say

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Officials say the father of reality TV's "The Willis Family" has been arrested and charged in a child rape investigation.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says in a new release that agents arrested Toby Willis of Ashland City on Friday in Greenville, Kentucky, where he had gone to avoid officers.

The release says the 46-year-old was charged with one count of rape of a child and was being held without bond on a fugitive from justice warrant. It was not known whether he has a lawyer who could comment on the case.

The TBI says an investigation that began Aug. 29 found information that Willis, who is originally from Chicago, had a sexual encounter with an underage female about 12 years ago. The family's TLC reality show focuses on their musical group, which includes 12 Willis children.