Man Charged With Attempted Rape Of Child At Butler Co. YMCA
BUTLER (KDKA/AP) - A western Pennsylvania man has been jailed on charges he tried to rape a 12-year-old boy at knifepoint at his local YMCA.
Online court records don't list an attorney for 35-year-old Jason Michael Taylor, of Butler, who has been jailed since shortly after the alleged incident last Thursday.
Police say Taylor put a knife to the boy's throat and dragged him to a rest room where he started to undress the boy before he screamed and others responded.
Police say Taylor tried to run away, but that other patrons held onto the suspect until police took him into custody.
Taylor remained in the Butler County Jail Monday unable to post $150,000 bond on charges including attempted rape, attempted aggravated assault and attempted indecent assault.
A former neighbor of Taylor's says he had recently moved from this apartment house on Oak Street.
"People should be locked away, and never let out of jail," the neighbor told KDKA's Bob Allen.
That neighbor also told Bob, "I'm very shocked, because he didn't seem like that kind of person."
The YMCA released a statement Monday afternoon about the investigation.
"The YMCA understands that an allegation of child abuse has been made against a person who was at the YMCA on 6-27-13. The YMCA immediately referred this matter to all the proper authorities, and it is under investigation. Because an investigation is underway and allegations of child abuse have been made, the YMCA cannot comment further at this time because it wishes to protect the privacy interest of the child involved and protect the integrity of the investigation that is underway.
The YMCA takes seriously the importance of the protection and safety of the children involved in all of its programs. Child abuse is a special concern of the YMCA because of the organization's role in promoting the personal growth and development of Christian values and support the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of individuals and families to improve their quality of life."
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