An Upper Gwynedd Township man is facing felony charges after a juvenile female told police the man had allegedly sexually abused her several years ago while he was acting as her babysitter.
In early June, detectives with the Upper Gwynedd Township Police Department received a Childline referral regarding the sexual abuse of a child. The referral stated that a juvenile female had disclosed that when she was approximately 6 years old, her babysitter got on top of her on her bed and “humped her.”
According to the criminal complaint, the victim was forensically interviewed at Mission Kids a few weeks later, at which time she stated that her normal babysitter was unavailable to babysit her on that night, and the babysitter’s brother — identified as 22-year-old Hayden Rhodes — had filled in for his sister. The victim said that while babysitting, Rhodes got on top of her while she was laying on her mattress and made sexual motions, the report states. Rhodes also had the victim get on top of him to make similar motions, and later had the victim place her hand on Rhodes’ erect penis, police said.
Approximately a year later, Rhodes again filled in for his sister and attempted to engage in indecent contact with the victim, however the victim said no, pushed him away and walked away from him, according to the complaint.
Investigators said the abuse occurred between June 2016 and December 2017.
Charges were officially filed against Rhodes on Oct. 22. He was taken into custody on Oct. 28 and arraigned by District Judge Suzan Leonard, who set bail at $50,000 unsecured. Rhodes was then released from custody, and his next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on Nov. 4 at 9 a.m. in front of Judge Leonard.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
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