CLEARFIELD – A man is behind bars for the alleged sexual assault of a three-year-old child in Ferguson Township.
William W. O’Dell, 55, (no address given) is charged with felony child endangerment and corruption of minors, plus misdemeanor indecent assault without consent, indecent assault-forcible compulsion, indecent assault-person less than 13 years and indecent exposure.
According to the affidavit of probable cause filed with the Houtzdale magistrate’s office, the investigation began April 14 after a witness caught O’Dell with the victim.
When this occurred, the child’s face was reportedly covered with a heavy leather coat. The victim appeared scared of O’Dell, and as though she was about to cry.
O’Dell—when confronted by the witness—reportedly commented: “I know I am a pervert.”
The witness had a relative of O’Dell arrive so he was not at the residence, and when asked about his intentions with the victim, he stated, “I don’t know.”
In an interview with state police, the witness said the child told her O’Dell put the coat over her head before touching her inappropriately.
The affidavit notes O’Dell had been previously arrested for being sexually inappropriate with female juveniles, and described as a “self-proclaimed pervert.”
In a forensic interview at the Child Advocacy Center April 15, the victim detailed what happened a day earlier.
The child said O’Dell’s privates were exposed when he put the coat over her head and assaulted her. “I didn’t want that to happen,” she told authorities, “and I said no!”
The victim also said this has happened to her more than once, according to the report.
O’Dell was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Wednesday, but it was continued until July 19 during centralized court. Bail remains $100,000, monetary.