Girl’s rape allegation false, say state police
The 17-year-old Avella girl who claimed she was raped earlier this month at Cross Creek County Park will be charged by state police after she allegedly lied about the incident to investigators.
The girl will be charged in a juvenile allegation with unsworn falsification to authorities and false reports to law enforcement.
Trooper Thomas Kress talked last week with the man against whom the allegations were made. Kress said the man, who is not being identified, committed no crimes and will not be charged.
The girl told state police she was raped at the park April 8. She claimed she met the man online earlier that day on a social media site and made arrangements to meet him.
The 17-year-old claimed the two talked briefly before walking toward a wooded area. She told police the man hit her in the head, dragged her into the woods and raped her. She gave police a detailed description of the man she claimed attacked her. The teen also told police she was assisted by a woman with graying hair and wearing a sundress, telling Kress the woman offered to give the girl a ride home.
After the alleged assault, she was taken to Washington Hospital for treatment of injuries including abdominal pain.
Crime Stoppers of Pennsylvania also offered a reward for information on the alleged assault.
Kress would not comment on why the girl lied about the incident. He said he would file charges against the girl in juvenile court at a later date.