DuBois man charged with the alleged rape of a 5 year-old Reynoldsville girl
A DuBois man is facing numerous charges in connection with an alleged rape of a 5-year-old Reynoldsville girl.
William Dean Rockwell, 38, of 21 West Washington Avenue, DuBois, is charged with numerous offenses including rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, endangering the welfare of a child, sexual assault, and indecent assault.
According to the criminal complaint filed by the Reynoldsville Borough Police Officer Tammy Murray with District Magistrate David Inzana, Rockwell was babysitting the victim on October 14, 2019, in her residence in Reynoldsville. The following day, the victim told a family member about a “secret game” she and Rockwell had played while she was in his care and the victim’s mother contacted DuBois City Police.
On November 21, 2019, the victim was interviewed by Mary Tatum of the Clearfield County Child Advocate Center. During the interview, the victim said she and Rockwell played a “secret game” where she was a princess and Rockwell was a bad guy. She then went on to describe in graphic detail the alleged assault.
The victim was given a medical examination by medical examiner John Batcher following the interview. The examination of her genitals, however, could not be completed because of the child’s fear of being hurt. A second attempt was made, but the child again refused.
According to the complaint, the medical examiner’s opinion indicated the victim underwent a traumatic event such as sexual assault.
Rockwell was interviewed twice, on December 5 and December 16. He admitted playing a princess game with the victim. He denied touching her but admitted to using methamphetamine that day while the child was in his care. He initially agreed to a polygraph test, but later refused the test when contacted by Sergeant Murray to schedule it.
The charges were filed on December 23. Rockwell was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for January 23 with Magistrate Inzana.
