- A Pennsylvania police officer and military veteran was arrested for raping a 13-month-old child
- Steven Kyle Cugini, 28, of York blamed the family dog for the baby’s injuries
- He was suspended by the York City Police Department and is being held on $200,000 bail
A Pennsylvania police officer and military veteran has been charged with 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 Pennsylvania State Police Lykens Criminal Investigation Unit.
The Lykens Unit responded to reports of severe bruising to a 13-month-old child between April 11 and 15.
According to criminal complaints, the child suffered a broken tibia and fibula on her left leg, along with other injuries suggesting 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 blame the baby’s injuries on diaper rash, a fall and the family dog.
He eventually admitted to the crimes after being questioned by police officers, confirming that the injuries occurred while he was caring for the child alone.
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 for 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 following an incident of alleged misconduct and criminal conduct that occurred in Dauphin County,” Commissioner Michael Muldrow said in a news release.
“As per our protocol, the individual has been immediately suspended while the investigation continues and the council 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 blame the baby’s injuries on diaper rash, a fall and the family dog
Cugini, who worked as an officer for 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 advocate for our people,” Muldrow said.
“But they 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 allegations are substantiated, please trust that I will be the first to take swift and definitive action against them.”