CLEARFIELD – A Mahaffey man has been accused of having sex with a young girl.
Bradley T. Barto, 22, has been charged by Trooper Derek C. Weaver of the Punxsutawney-based state police with felony rape of child, statutory sexual assault/4-8 years older, unlawful contact with minor/sexual offenses and corruption of minors/defendant age 18 or above and misdemeanor indecent assault/person less than 13 years of age and indecent assault/person less than 16 years of age.
Barto waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during centralized court at the Clearfield County Jail. Bail has been set at $5,000 unsecured.
The investigation began through a ChildLine report concerning suspected child abuse and neglect, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge James Glass.
During a forensic interview Aug. 9, 2018, the girl said she had sexual intercourse with Barto when she was approximately 12 years old. She said Barto was age 18 at the time, and it was “weird” for her.
In an interview with state police Aug. 11, Barto allegedly admitted he had sexual intercourse with the girl at a friend’s house in Mahaffey. This, state police said, was consistent with the findings of the ChildLine report.
Though he could not recall their exact ages, he said it was “dumb” and a “mistake” on his part due to their age difference. He also expressed concern over being arrested and becoming a Megan’s Law offender.