Susquehanna man charged with child rape

BY STACI WILSON

A Susquehanna man faces over 20 counts of raping a child, along with other sexual assault charges stemming from incidents that allegedly began in 2004 and went on for years.

Edward Chandler, 41, was charged by Tpr. John Oliver. He was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Jodi Cordner and is being held on $75,000 bail.

According to the affidavit filed in New Milford District Court, Tpr. Oliver, along with a Susquehanna County Dept. of Children & Youth Services caseworker interviewed the victim on Aug. 21.

The Susquehanna County Independent does not identify the victims of alleged sexual assault.

According to the affidavit, the victim detailed numerous cases of abuse that took place at residences in Oakland Township and in Susquehanna.

She told investigators that Chandler had forced her to perform oral sex on him and had attempted to perform anal sex on the child, according to the police affidavit.

The victim also told police she was afraid that another child had also been assaulted by Chandler, according to the affidavit.

In an interview with police on Aug. 22, Chandler at first denied the allegations but then admitted to having oral sex and attempting anal sex with the victim, according to the affidavit. Chandler provided a written statement to police.

According the the affidavit, a mother contacted police on Aug. 24 because her child had told her she had also been sexually assaulted by Chandler over the course of about six years, when she was between the ages of four and ten years old.

In an interview, the second alleged victim told police Chandler would make her perform oral sex, according to the affidavit.

In addition to 20 counts of rape of a child; Chandler also faces felony counts of involuntary deviant sexual intercourse of a person less than 16 years of age; aggravated indecent assault – complainant less than 13 years of age; other related felony charges; and misdemeanor counts of indecent assault – person less than 13 years of age.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Monday, Sept. 15.