How Could You? Hall of Shame-Shane Michael Mehaffie

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Silver Spring Township, Pennsylvania, “Shane Michael Mehaffie, 48, is charged with felony rape of a child, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, corruption of minors, indecent assault, child pornography, three counts of felony aggravated indecent assault and misdemeanor indecent assault for incidents police said occurred when the [8-year-old]child was in his care.

In January, the child’s mother reported to police that she believed her daughter had been sexually assaulted over the summer in 2017 while the child was in foster care, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Silver Spring Township Police.

Mehaffie was not the child’s foster parent, but he was utilized in July as respite care for the child while the foster mother spent a week vacationing in the Dominican Republic, police said.

Under Pennsylvania law, individuals who wish to provide respite care must undergo criminal background checks and child abuse background checks, as well as successfully complete a required training program.

During that time in July 2017 the child said Mehaffie raped her and videotaped her, according to the affidavit. The girl said that Mehaffie said if she told anyone what happened that he would find her and hurt her, according to police.

Police searched Mehaffie’s home in February and said Mehaffie’s bedroom matched the descriptions given to them by the victim, police said. An image of suspected child pornography was also found on Mehaffie’s computer, according to the affidavit.

Mehaffie was arraigned Wednesday and taken to Cumberland County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail, according to court records.

He posted bail and was released from prison a day later, court records show.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in front of Magisterial District Judge Kathryn Silcox.”

Police: 8-year-old girl raped while in foster care in Silver Spring Township

[Cumberlink 6/15/18]

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