Centre County man accused of sexually assaulting 2 girls in Gregg Township
A Spring Mills man was arraigned Thursday on charges he inappropriately touched and sexually assaulted two girls in Gregg Township.
The state police at Rockview investigation into Merdith Baird, 71, began in August after the department received a report of the alleged abuses, an officer wrote in an affidavit of probable cause filed Tuesday.
One of the girls described and drew pictures of the alleged incidents during an interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center. She said Baird inappropriately touched her in his bed and on a chair, police wrote.
A second girl was identified as the investigation developed and also said Baird inappropriately touched her in late 2012. He told her “not to tell anyone or he could get in trouble,” police wrote.
Baird’s lawyer, Jim Bryant, did not immediately respond Thursday to request for comment.
Baird was charged with three felony counts of corruption of minors, two felony counts each of aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault, and one misdemeanor count of indecent assault.
He was arraigned by District Judge Tom Jordan, who set bail at $150,000. Baird did not post bail and is detained at the Centre County Correctional Facility.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
This story was originally published January 16, 2020 at 3:27 PM.