York police officer arrested on rape charges involving 13-month-old child

A York City police officer has been arrested on charges of rape and aggravated indecent assault of a 13-month-old child.

Police report that Officer Steven Kyle Cugini was arrested without incident on April 16th following an investigation led by the PSP Lykens Criminal Investigation Unit.

Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Lykens first responded to reports of severe bruising of a 13-month-old between April 11 and April 15. This spurred an investigation into the incident in where investigators found that the victim had suffered broken bones, severe bruising, and sexual violence.

Authorities report that the child was admitted to Hershey Medical Center where their injuries were reviewed by the Dauphin County Child Abuse Team and PSP.

According to criminal complaints, the child suffered a broken tibia and fibula on her left leg and other injuries that medical professionals say is evidence of sexual abuse.

Charging documents allege that Cugini first blamed the injuries on diaper rash, a fall, and the family dog. After police questioning, he allegedly eventually admitted to police that the injuries occurred while he had been caring for the child alone.

Criminal charges were approved by Dauphin County DA’s office on April 16, leading to Cugini’s later arrest. Per police protocol, Cugini has been immediately suspended while the investigation continues.

"As everyone knows,” Commissioner Michael Muldrow states in a release, “I will always be the first to fight and advocate for our people; but they also know (1) how I feel about kids, and (2) that I hold my Officers to the highest of standards when it comes to representing this Department and engaging with the community.”

And if these allegations are founded,” Muldrow says, “trust and believe I'll be the first to take swift and definitive action against them.