Irving police searching for potential victims of man accused of abusing children

Irving police are looking for additional people who may have been sexually abused by a man accused of abusing multiple young children.

Police said Wednesday they have found four people who say they had been abused by Averil Drew Cardwell, a longtime Irving resident who now lives in Cedar Hill, dating back to 1986 — and believe there are more.

Cardwell, 69, was arrested Aug. 23 after a 21-year-old woman told officers he assaulted her between the ages of 3 and 8.

After investigating the claim, police said they heard from a second potential victim. Cardwell turned himself in to authorities in October after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He faces two charges of continuous sex abuse of a child, and police said additional charges are pending.

Cardwell has since bonded out of custody, and court records show he is required to wear an ankle monitor. It is unclear whether he has an attorney.

Anyone who may know or is a victim may call Investigator Padrutt at 972-721-6565 or Irving police at 972-273-1010.