LIKENS, Pa. (TCD) — A 28-year-old police officer has been suspended from duty after being accused of sexually assaulting and seriously injuring a 13-month-old girl in his care.
According to a Pennsylvania State Police report, Lykens patrol officers responded between April 11 and 15 to reports of a 13-month-old child suffering severe bruising. The victim was taken to Hershey Medical Center, where medical staff said the child suffered broken bones and severe bruising.
A criminal complaint reviewed by WHP-TV states her injuries include a broken tibia and fibula. Police also said medical experts found the girl showed signs of sexual assault.
According to WHTM-TV, the 13-month-old's mother told investigators the victim fell while taking a bath. She also “went on to give an unbelievable account of several other injuries inflicted on the victim's body” and said her family dog had caused serious bruising to the child.
Police identified Steven Cugini as the suspect. In an interview, he told investigators that he changed the girl's diaper and gave her a bath, and that she suffered the injury in the bathroom.
According to WHTM, the victim's mother also told authorities that Cuzini was locked in the bathroom with her child and that she heard crying and loud noises.
Cugini eventually confessed to police that he injured the victim while she watched alone, WHP reported. Authorities did not specify Cuzini's relationship to the child.
On April 16, the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office approved criminal charges against Cuzini, according to police. WHTM reports that the suspect faces multiple charges, including child rape, child molestation and aggravated assault. He was booked into the Dauphin County Jail on $200,000 bail.
Cousini has been suspended pending an investigation, according to a statement from York City Police Chief Michael Muldrow.
Prime Minister Muldrow said: “If these allegations are true, please trust and believe that I will be the first to take swift and decisive action.”
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