Mar 13, 2017 2 min read

A 52-year-old Michigan man was charged with statutory sexual assault for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old girl Sunday morning at the Econo Lodge in Franklin Township.

Police said Gary Wayne Melick Jr., of Commerce Township, contacted the girl by cell phone just before 11 a.m. and told her to meet him at the Marathon Gas station on High Street in Morrisville.

Police said Melick picked up the girl in a black pickup truck and took her to a room at the hotel at 126 Miller Lane, near the Interstate 79 exit to Waynesburg. Police said the girl had consensual sex with Melick at the hotel before he dropped her off at the McDonald’s next door.

Police said the girl’s mother “discovered that the victim was not where she was supposed to be.” The mother picked up her daughter from the McDonald’s before contacting police.

State police Trooper William Brown said the investigation is ongoing and he could not comment. It was unclear how Melick initially made contact with the girl or how long they’ve known each other.

Police filed a warrant for Melick’s arrest Sunday morning, but had not taken him into custody as of Monday afternoon.