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. He is a father to young twin girls, according to public records and social media.
The investigation was led by the Pennsylvania State Police Lykens Criminal Investigation unit. The Lykens unit responded to reports of severe bruising of a 13-month-old child between April 11 and April 15.
According to criminal complaints, the child suffered from a broken tibia and fibula on her left leg, along with other injuries that suggest sexual abuse.
The infant's injuries were noticed by staff at the Halifax YMCA Daycare on Monday, April 15, according to Daily Voice.
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
Court documents show that the child's mother is accused of helping cover up the abuse - but no charges have been filed against her.
Cugini first tried to blame the baby's injuries on diaper rash, a fall and the family dog.
The mother originally backed Cugini's claims - but text messages showed that she had confronted him about the bruises.
She ultimately confessed that she had permitted Cugini to bathe her daughter on the night of April 13 while she was making dinner.
Cugini allegedly locked the bathroom door to keep her five-year-old son out - but while cooking the mother heard her daughter 'cry very loudly' and 'repeated pounding'.
According to the affidavit, when the mother knocked on the door it took Cugini 10 seconds to answer and his shirt was reportedly wet - but his pants were on.
He eventually admitted to the crimes after he was questioned by police officers, and confirmed that the injuries occurred while he had been caring for the child by himself.
Th Dauphin County District Attorney's office approved the criminal charges on 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, a member of this department was arrested for an incident of alleged misconduct and criminal behavior, occurring in Dauphin County,' Commissioner Michael Muldrow stated in a release.
'Per our protocol the individual has been immediately suspended as the investigation continues and the City looks to take the 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 at Dauphin County Jail on $200,000 bail.
'As everyone knows - I will always be the first to fight and advocate for our people,' Muldrow stated.
'But they also know (1) how I feel about kids, and (2) that I hold my Officers to the highest of standards when it comes to representing this Department and engaging with the community,' he continued.
'If these allegations are founded, trust and believe I'll be the first to take swift and definitive action against them.'