Man charged with rape of child

Merrill Saylor faces four felony charges following allegations by 6-year-old girl

A Bechtelsville man has been arrested after police allege he raped a 6-year-old girl.

Merrill Daniel Saylor, 33, of the 1200 block of North Reading Avenue, is facing four felony charges following an investigation by Berks County Detectives.

According to court documents, Childline received a report of suspected child abuse from a Pottstown Memorial Medical Center emergency room physician’s assistant on Nov. 26. The victim was reported to be a 6-year-old female.

An interview with the victim indicated that she had been sleep-

ing and woke up when the alleged sexual abuse occurred. The victim stated that it happened three or four times, court documents state.

Saylor was questioned by police about the allegations on Dec. 20, at which time Saylor admitted that the events described by the victim had happened once at his apartment in the spring.

Saylor has been charged with rape of a child and related offenses.

He was arraigned before District Judge Dean R. Patton on Dec. 27 and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before District Judge Michael G. Hartman on Jan. 4.

He was unable to post the set $250,000 bail and is being held at Berks County Prison.