TREMONT - A 27-year-old borough man was jailed Friday after Tremont police accused him of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old boy on Valentine's Day in 2012.
Christopher M. Bove, 37 W. Main St., Apt. 7, was charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, aggravated indecent assault and aggravated indecent assault of a child, all felony offenses; as well as misdemeanor charges of simple assault, endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of a minor.
Police Chief Michael Conway said the charges Friday followed an investigation that began Feb. 14, 2012, when the boy told a relative he was afraid of Bove.
The boy told his family that Bove sexually assaulted him with a "little fish net," Conway said.
Later that day, Conway said the child was taken to a Pottsville area hospital, where a physician said he needed a detailed pediatric evaluation for sexual assault and the following day, Schuylkill County Children & Youth authorities were contacted.
Conway said the boy was later taken to Children's Resource Center in Harrisburg and interviewed by a child interview specialist. During that interview, Conway said the boy reported being scared of Bove.
On March 14, Conway said Bove was read his Miranda Rights and interviewed, during which he said he spanked the boy as a form of discipline.
On March 21, Conway said Bove was interviewed by state police Cpl. James Biever of the Jonestown station and at first denied doing anything sexual to the child. During that interview, Conway said, Bove told investigators that he was raped while in Luzerne County Prison and that he believes he did not sexually assault the child.
During the interview, Conway said Bove told the corporal he has thought of "doing things with kids."
Bove then admitted becoming angered at the child who kept asking for lunch and slapping his backside with a belt.
Conway said Bove admitted hitting the child with the handle of a fishnet when the boy was wearing only underwear and that it may have penetrated the child. He then told investigators he became angry with the child and pulled down his pajama pants and underwear and assaulted him with a finger, saying spanking did not work, Conway said.
Bove said he "can't live with it anymore" and that he needs help, Conway said.
Conway said at the conclusion the Schuylkill County District Attorney's Office was contacted and Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Lehman approved the charges.
Lehman said the investigation included multiple additional interviews resulting in charges only being filed Friday.
Bove will now have to appear before a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Carol A. Pankake at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in her Tremont courtroom.
Bove was arraigned by Pankake and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $35,000 straight cash bail.