June hearing set for coach’s wife on
statutory rape charges
Kelsey Lauren McCarter, arrested on six counts of statutory rape by an authority figure and one count of exploitation of a minor by electronic means. She is the wife of former South-Doyle High School assistant football coach Justin McCarter. (KNOX COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Knoxville News Sentinel: The wife of a former South-Doyle High School assistant football coach indicted on charges that she had sex with a sophomore player on the team must return to court in June.
Kelsey McCarter, 26, charged with six counts of statutory rape by an authority figure and one count of exploitation of a minor by electronic means, was to have been arraigned Thursday in Knox County Criminal Court. Appearing in court with her husband, she did not enter a plea.
Instead, Judge Scott Green set a status hearing on June 23.
Attorney Doug Trant, who represents McCarter, declined to comment after the hearing.
The encounters took place between Feb. 1, 2015 and Dec. 31, and included at least one instance of McCarter sending inappropriate photos via cell phone to the teen, according to a presentment made public last month.
The boy's mother told the News Sentinel the abuse happened while her son and his older brother were living with McCarter and her husband, Justin McCarter.
Justin McCarter invited the two brothers to live with him and his wife, offering to mentor the boys after they began having behavioral problems, such as skipping school, the mother said.
The brothers lived with the McCarters for about a year, their mother said, and played on the football team while attending South-Doyle High. No abuse has been alleged against the older boy.
The state Department of Children's Services confirmed there is no record of any formal foster care arrangement. The boys' mother said she refused a request by Justin McCarter to sign over guardianship of her sons.
Both boys now live with their mother and attend Fulton High School.
Justin McCarter resigned earlier this year from his coaching position and has not been charged in the case.
South-Doyle Principal Tim Berry and Assistant Principal Clark Duncan, who is also the school's head football coach, were placed on paid administrative leave in February pending an investigation of whether they failed to immediately report the allegations of child sexual abuse to DCS or law enforcement.
Woman facing child sex abuse charges
CLAYTON OVER, STAFF WRITER, TheTimes-Tribune
A woman accused of sexually abusing an autistic child is back in Lackawanna County to answer charges filed against her earlier this year.Dunmore police filed an arrest warrant against Brittany Lepkowski, 25, 634 Moosic St. , Scranton, in early March. U.S. marshals apprehended her in western Pennsylvania later that month. Ms. Lepkowski is accused of groping the child’s genitals at a home in Dunmore.
In February, Dunmore detectives received a report of suspected child abuse through Child Line, a toll-free number where people can report child abuse. The abuse is believed to have occurred between October 2015 and January, when the child was 4 years old, according to court documents.
The Times-Tribune does not identify victims of sexual assault.
Ms. Lepkowski is also on state parole for an unrelated offense and had been lodged at State Correctional Institution at Cambridge Springs on a violation detainer following her arrest in March, said borough police Detective Michael Lydon, investigating officer.
Ms. Lepkowski returned to Lackawanna County for arraignment Wednesday afternoon on charges of child sex abuse, corruption of minors and indecent assault. She is held at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $115,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 11.
Report abuse
To report suspected child abuse, call ChildLine at 800-932-0313. The number is staffed 24 hours a day by trained intake specialists who will interview the caller to determine the most appropriate course of action. Callers can remain anonymous.
Woman accused of child sex abuse wanted
after missed court hearings
By Myles SnyderLANCASTER, Pennsylvania (WHTM) – A woman accused of sexually abusing a child while she lived in Lancaster County is a wanted fugitive after authorities say she skipped several court hearings.
Nicole Fritchlee, 40, failed to show at an April 22 arraignment for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, indecent assault of a child, and other charges. She also skipped her preliminary arraignment and a preliminary hearing earlier this year, according to District Attorney Craig Stedman’s office.
Fritchlee is accused of sexually abusing the girl between 2006 and 2008 at a West Hempfield Township home. The girl was 7 years old when the alleged abuse began.
She is believed to be with her 5-year-old daughter, who is considered a missing person.
Her last-known address is on South Duke Street in Dallastown.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts should call the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit at 717-723-4929.
Suicide Facing Arrest for Child Sex Abuse
Roseville man who shot self faced arrest in child sex abuse case
BY CATHY LOCKE
California: A man found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after barricading himself in a Roseville home Wednesday was suspected of sexually abusing a child, police said.
Detectives went to a home in the 200 block of King Road about noon to arrest the man, identified as Travis John Swol, 43, of Roseville. During officers’ surveillance of the house, Swol came outside briefly, but then went back inside the residence and refused to come out despite the detectives’ repeated requests, according to a Police Department news release.
Officers surrounded the house, and because they knew the man had access to several firearms, SWAT officers responded to assist.
After many more unsuccessful attempts to contact Swol, officers sent a camera-equipped robot in to search the house. The robot found Swol dead. Officers then entered the house, and found many firearms and rounds of ammunition, police reported.
Swol had a history of befriending juveniles, and detectives believe there are additional victims of unreported sexual abuse. Although there will be no court trial due to Swol’s death, police said victims may still want to make a report. Detectives can refer them to services available to crime victims, such as counseling. Anyone who wishes to make such a report is asked to call the Roseville Police Department at 916-774-5000, extension 1.
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