A Pennsylvania police officer was arrested on Tuesday amid allegations that he sexually abused a 13-month-old girl.
On April 15, police responded to the Halifax YMCA Youth Development Center after a child was dropped off at the center who was bruised and could not put weight on her left foot. A trooper who responded to the scene noted that the girl had bruises on her buttocks and vaginal area, in addition to her face, chest, and foot, according to the York Daily Record.
The child’s mother allegedly claimed the girl did not go to daycare on Friday and that the injuries occurred when she fell in the bathtub. However, she later admitted she lied to cover for York City police officer Steven Cugini, 28, according to the York Daily Record.
Investigators reportedly uncovered text messages in which Cugini admitted to causing the toddler’s injuries. The toddler’s mother said she left her daughter alone with Cugini for an hour on Friday, and Cugini claimed a family dog had knocked her over, resulting in the leg injury.
The following day, Cugini was bathing the girl while her mother prepared dinner. The York Daily Record reported that the mother overheard her daughter crying and repeated pounding. The mother went to the bathroom, which was locked before Cugini opened the door. An affidavit stated that Cugini’s shirt was wet and he claimed the door was locked to keep another child out of the bathroom.
WHP reported that the 13-month-old had a broken tibia and fibula and other injuries indicative of sexual abuse.
York City police said Cugini was immediately suspended after the allegations surfaced. They also noted that the crimes occurred when he was off-duty. Officials have not disclosed his relationship to the victim.
Cugini was charged with rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault of a child, and aggravated assault. His bail was set at $200,000.
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[Feature Photo: Steven Cugini/Dauphin County Prison]