Michael Christopher Pringle, 60, was arrested after the victim reported the assault to her school counselor on October 7. The incident occurred the previous evening at a Clay Township home.
Allegations From The Affidavit
The victim stated that Pringle assaulted her on October 6 in both his bedroom and the laundry room. She claimed he hugged her tightly, grabbed her buttocks, unzipped her reindeer onesie pajamas, and touched her chest. She described how Pringle forced her to touch his penis, pushed her to her knees, and made her perform oral sex while holding her head still.
The assault was interrupted twice: once when a younger child entered the laundry room chasing a dog, and again when her mother passed by. The mother later saw the victim sitting on her bed, visibly upset, and told her to text what had happened after noticing the child’s reluctance to speak with Pringle nearby.
That evening, the victim and her siblings slept in the same room as their mother for safety.
School Disclosure And Investigation
The victim informed her school counselor the following day about the assault, stating that she did not feel safe outside of school. Teachers also noted a significant change in the child’s demeanor, describing her as unusually withdrawn and quiet.
The victim later gave a forensic interview at the Lancaster County Children’s Alliance and had a SAFE exam at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital. The evidence was forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Police for analysis.
History Of Abuse
During the investigation, the victim revealed that the abuse started two years ago, after her family relocated. She described incidents of groping, inappropriate touching, and other sexual acts that led up to the October 6 assault. The affidavit also stated that the children’s bedroom doors had been removed, depriving them of privacy.
Charges Against Pringle
Pringle, a Megan’s Law registrant with prior sexual assault convictions in 1999 and 2001, is facing the following charges:
- Felony: Rape of a child under 13.
- Felony: Statutory sexual assault.
- Felony: Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse (two counts).
- Felony: Unlawful contact with a minor.
- Misdemeanor: Indecent assault of a person under 16.
Pringle is being held without bail.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities anticipate additional developments.
