CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man accused of sexually assaulting a 3-year-old girl was arraigned Wednesday with his bail being set at $100,000 straight, according to Magisterial District Judge Richard Ireland’s office.
Gregory A. Laird, 50, of Clearfield has been charged with two counts each of aggravated indecent assault of child, indecent assault/person less than 13 years of age and corruption of minors. Laird’s preliminary hearing has been scheduled for 11:45 a.m. July 3 at the Clearfield County Jail.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on May 7 Clearfield Borough police were contacted by telephone about a 3-year-old girl possibly being sexually assaulted by a known male. Upon arrival at the scene, police were notified the victim had redness in her “private area” and when asked had said Laird touched her there.
Police were notified Laird had watched the victim on May 3 and stayed at the same residence as the victim for some time. Police advised that the victim should be taken to the Clearfield Hospital as soon as possible to be examined by a physician.
Later on May 7, Laird arrived at the police station. He told police he’d been confronted about inappropriately touching the victim. He denied any wrongdoing, saying, “I wouldn’t do that to a little kid.” While there wasn’t any evidence at that time, police told Laird he’d be contacted to discuss the allegations at a later date.
Police returned to the victim’s residence and provided transportation to the hospital for an examination by the appropriate staff. On May 8 police received documentation in relation to the victim’s treatment and diagnosis, which was a urinary tract infection.
On May 22 the victim was interviewed by a representative of Western PA Cares for Kids of Brookville. During the interview, the victim indicated Laird had touched her “butt” on two occasions but pointed to her private area.
The next day police interviewed Laird about the alleged incident. During the interview, he denied ever inappropriately touching the victim.
On June 19 Trooper Kimberly Ronan of the Clearfield-based state police interviewed Laird. During this interview, Laird admitted he had touched the victim’s private area when she was sitting on his lap.
