Man Accused Of Sexually Abusing Boy At Glenshaw Home
SHALER TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- A 21-year-old man is charged with molesting a young boy in Shaler Township.
Police say the abuse happened two separate times while the child's family was upstairs.
KDKA's Ralph Iannotti Reports:
It was in the basement of a home in Glenshaw where Shaler Township Detective Michael Heinl says the suspect, Shawn Flaherty, is accused of sexually abusing the boy.
"This was one of the worst ones that I've seen in 14 years investigating these crimes," Heinl said.
The victim was at the home for a birthday party. Police say the child and Flaherty's family members remained upstairs.
Flaherty, who was 20 at the time, reportedly went downstairs with the boy to play XBOX.
According to the criminal complaint, Flaherty removed his clothing and then allegedly forced the child to perform a sex act on him.
"The victim was physically restrained and threatened that if he told somebody he would be hurt," Heinl said.
The first alleged incident took place in October of 2013. Two months later, in December, the criminal complaint says the same abuse happened again.
KDKA's Christine D'Antonio Reports:
The complaint says when the child got into his parents car, he told his mother that he "never wanted to go back to that house." That's when his family learned about the sexual abuse.
"This child did a brave thing by reporting it, coming forward," Heinl said. "I believe he was tired of being a victim and hurt and threatened and he wanted it to stop."
Flaherty was arrested at home Tuesday night and sent to the Allegheny County Jail.
He faces several felonies including rape and corruption of minors.
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