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Fort Bragg Soldier's Wife Addresses Husband's Allegations

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FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Eight years ago, Melissa Reed had the picture-perfect wedding and was anxious to begin married life. Now she says her life is crumbling around her.

"I just want to give up and run away and hide and say this cannot be happening," she says.

Fort Bragg police say Melissa's husband, 29-year-old Sergeant Michael Reed, is responsible for the rape of a 75-year-old woman last month. Reed could soon be charged with the abduction and sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl in western Cumberland County.

Investigators also think he may have tried to lure a 10-year-old Spring Lake girl into his car this summer.

"I keep sitting there and thinking, 'What kind of sicko is he? What kind of person did I marry?'" she says.

Melissa and Michael met in their home state of Pennsylvania. After only one month of dating, they got married. They have three children together.

Now Melissa says she faces her biggest challenge of moving on alone and putting the feelings of hurt and betrayal behind her.

"I'm sorry and hope everyone can put their life back together just as I'm trying to do," she says.

Sgt. Reed is still in the brig at Camp Lejeune. His preliminary hearing was scheduled for last week, but it has been indefinitely postponed. Melissa plans to divorce her husband and move back to Pennsylvania.

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