CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man accused of sexually assaulting a 3-year-old has been sentenced in Clearfield County Court.
Gregory A. Laird, 51, 30 Servomation Dr., Clearfield, pleaded guilty to two counts of corruption of minors. He was sentenced to nine months to two years less one day in jail and five years consecutive probation. He was fined $750 plus costs.
The charges stem from an incident in May.
Laird was originally charged with two counts each of aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault of person less than 13 years of age and corruption of minors.
District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. explained that the plea to lesser charges was necessary because the victim is unable to testify.
Prior to sentencing, Judge Paul Cherry asked if Laird had anything to say and he responded “no.” Then, Cherry asked if Laird was sorry for what he had done to the young girl. Once prompted, Laird did say he was sorry.
Laird’s probation on a previous theft by deception charge was also revoked. For this he was sentenced to 30 days to one year in jail. His new sentence will run consecutive to his revocation sentence.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, an investigation began May 7 after the victim’s mother reported to police that she thought her daughter had been sexually assaulted. The mother became concerned after she noticed redness to the victim’s private area. When asked if anyone had touched her there, the girl said “Greg did.” Laird had watched the girl for her mother on May 3 and this is possibly when she was assaulted. The girl was taken to the hospital for an examination.
On May 22, the victim was interviewed by an employee of Western PA Cares for Kids in Brookville. During the interview, the victim indicated Laird had touched her “butt” on two occasions but pointed to her genital area.
Laird was interviewed by police on May 23 and denied touching the girl. But on June 19 when he was interviewed again, he admitted to a state trooper that he touched the victim’s genitals while she was sitting on his lap.
