Howard woman accused of false sexual assault report | Centre Daily Times

A mental health worker and owner of Actions Counseling in Bellefonte is accused lying to police about being sexually assaulted by a court-appointed client to hide that she was having an affair with the man.

Police wrote in charging documents that Cindy L. Brumbaugh, of Howard, told them in August she was forced into a vehicle by the man, driven to the Shamokin Dam area near Sunbury and sexually assaulted.

The client, however, told police that the two had been sharing romantic encounters and decided to drive to the area to spend the weekend together. He provided police with text messages and pictures he said Brumbaugh sent him.

The pair were involved in a car accident while on the trip and both had to be hospitalized. Police alleged that Brumbaugh concocted her story to explain to her husband what she was doing with the client.

According to a criminal complaint, Brumbaugh began seeing the man professionally in March when he was assigned by the court to Actions Counseling. During a session in June, she allegedly told the man she loved him and then kissed him.

The two then met several times at night in the Howard area before planning the overnight trip, police wrote.

At one point, she allegedly sent him a text message reading “I just don’t know how we can keep this up without (her family) ... , the legal system and just plain gossipy finding out and then all hell breaking loose for me,” according to police.

Brumbaugh was charged with making false reports and unsworn falsification to authorities, both misdemeanors.

Court documents do not list an attorney for the woman. Calls to a number listed for Actions Counseling were not answered.