Man convicted of indecent assault
A Skippack man is facing a lengthy prison term after a jury convicted him of molesting a a 6-year-old girl.
NORRISTOWN >> A 32-yearold Skippack man was convicted by a jury of having indecent contact with a 6-year-old girl on one occasion while she was in his company in 2015.
Sean M. Caines, of the 4100 block of Rittenhouse Lane, was convicted in Montgomery County Court of charges of indecent assault of a child, endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of a minor in connection with an incident that occurred at a Skippack residence in December 2015. The jury deliberated more than six hours before reaching its verdict after a three-day trial before Judge Steven T. O’Neill.
O’Neill deferred sentencing so that court officials can complete a background investigative report about Caines, who remains free on bail pending sentencing. Caines faces a possible maximum sentence of 10½ to 21 years in prison on the charges. However, state sentencing guidelines could allow for a lesser sentence.
Assistant District Attorney Matthew Brittenburg vowed to seek jail time against Caines.
“This was a 6-year-old little girl and when you abuse someone like that and take away their innocence they need to hear the jail door slam behind them,” Brittenburg said. “The defendant violated a trust in order to victimize the child.”
Caines also will be evaluated by the Pennsylvania Sexual Offenders Assessment Board, which will determine if he meets criteria under state law to be classified as a sexually violent predator. Those classified as predators face more stringent restrictions under state law, including a lifetime requirement to report their addresses to state police and community notification about their housing arrangements.
Caines, who was represented by defense lawyer Peter Thomas, denied the allegations when he testified in his own defense. Caines suggested the girl was not telling the truth.
An investigation began in December 2015 after the child’s mother reported to state police at Skippack that she learned Caines had indecent contact with the girl while the girl was in the company of Caines at a Skippack residence on Dec. 15, 2015. A witness observed the incident, according to court papers and testimony.
The girl subsequently described the inappropriate contact to her mother, to police and to counselors at Mission Kids, Montgomery County’s child advocacy facility where medical professionals, social workers, police officers and attorneys come together to streamline the investigative process and provide victims with the necessary support services to help them heal.
The girl testified during the trial about the indecent contact, which involved inappropriate touching. As she testified, Turks, the district attorney’s comfort dog, remained at the little girl’s feet as she sat in the witness box.
Brittenburg described the girl as “brave,” given the fact she had to face her abuser in court.
“She was just remarkable, a very brave little girl. She was brave as could be. She showed more bravery than most adults,” Brittenburg said.
The jury also viewed a videotape of the girl’s Mission Kids interview.
“This was a sixyear-old little girl and when you abuse someone like that and take away their innocence they need to hear the jail door slam behind them.” — Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Matthew Brittenburg