LEXINGTON, Ky. — Police have arrested the chair of the University of Kentucky's communications department on charges of incest, sexual abuse of a person under 12 and sodomy. 

What You Need To Know

  • Kevin Real has worked at UK for over 20 years

  • He has been placed on administrative leave from the university

  • A receipt for bail bonds totaling $15,000 was posted in his court file Friday

  • Real allegedly abused the victim when they were six, and again in July, an arrest citation said

Kevin Real, a UK professor of communication, was arrested Thursday by the Lexington Police Department, the Herald Leader reported.

Real allegedly sexually abused the victim when they were six, and again in July, an arrest citation said.

He has been placed on administrative leave from the university, spokesman Jay Blanton said Friday. “The university is aware of this issue and takes it very seriously,” Blanton said. “Professor Real is on administrative leave and not on campus at this time.

Real, 65, has worked at UK for 20 years. According to the university website, he has been recognized with a Research Excellence Award and a Teaching Excellence Award from the College of Communications and Information.

A receipt for bail bonds totaling $15,000 was posted in his court file Friday. He has a preliminary hearing in October. 

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