- Pennsylvania police officer and military veteran arrested for raping 13-month-old girl
- Steven Kyle Cugini, 28, of York, blamed the baby’s injuries on the family dog.
- He was suspended from York City Police and is being held on $200,000 bail.
A Pennsylvania police officer and military veteran has been accused of raping a 13-month-old baby and blaming it on “diaper rash” and the family dog.
Steven Kyle Cugini, 28, of York, Pennsylvania, was arrested Tuesday on charges of rape and aggravated assault.
The investigation was led by the Lykens Criminal Investigation unit of the Pennsylvania State Police.
The Lykens unit responded to reports of severe bruising on a 13-month-old child between April 11 and 15.
According to a criminal complaint, the girl suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in her left leg, in addition to other injuries that suggest sexual abuse.
Steven Kyle Cugini, 28, of York, Pennsylvania, was arrested Tuesday on charges of rape and aggravated assault.
The 28-year-old had previously served as a cavalry scout for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
Cugini first tried to attribute the baby’s injuries to diaper rash, a fall and the family dog.
He eventually admitted to the crimes after being questioned by police officers and confirmed that the injuries occurred while he was caring for the child himself.
The Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office approved the criminal charges Tuesday and Cugini was arrested that day without incident.
Cugini, who worked as an officer with the York City Police Department, was immediately suspended from his position.
“It has come to our attention that a member of this department has been arrested for an incident of alleged misconduct and criminal behavior that occurred in Dauphin County,” Commissioner Michael Muldrow stated in a statement.
“Per our protocol, the individual has been immediately suspended while the investigation continues and the city seeks to take appropriate action.”
The 28-year-old had previously served as a cavalry scout for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
Cugini first tried to attribute the baby’s injuries to diaper rash, a fall and the family dog.
Cugini, who worked as an officer with the York City Police Department, was immediately suspended from his position.
Cugini is being held in the Dauphin County Jail on $200,000 bail.
“As everyone knows, I will always be the first to fight and defend our people,” Muldrow said.
“But you also know (1) how I feel about children and (2) that I hold my officers to the highest standards when it comes to representing this Department and interacting with the community,” he continued.
“If these accusations are founded, trust and believe that I will be the first to take quick and definitive action against them.”