Centre County man accused of strangling, assaulting young child near State College
A Centre County man was accused Thursday of strangling and assaulting a 4-year-old.
Christopher L. Cicchino, 38, of College Township, held the young child against a wall by his throat, punched them in the stomach and slapped them in the face, State College police wrote in an affidavit of probable cause. Cicchino was listed at 6 feet, 1 inch tall and 260 pounds.
The child came forward with at least two allegations of abuse after Cicchino was arrested and jailed earlier this year, police wrote. The child’s mother told police she had a photograph of what she believed to be a rash, but instead showed small dots that can be caused by trauma.
A doctor told investigators the picture was consistent with the child’s disclosure of strangulation, police wrote.
No defense lawyer was listed and Centre County First Assistant Public Defender Lora Rupert, who represents him in other ongoing cases, said she has not yet been appointed to represent him against the newest charges.
Cicchino was charged with two felony counts of strangulation, one felony count of child endangerment and three misdemeanor counts of simple assault.
He was arraigned Thursday by District Judge Casey McClain, who set bail at $25,000. Cicchino is incarcerated at the Centre County Correctional Facility.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 4.