WEST BRANDYWINE TOWNSHIP, P.A. (KYW Newsradio) — Authorities in Chester County have charged an 18-year-old man with sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl last weekend.
Police said the victim was staying over at a relative’s house after a birthday party on Saturday, July 19, when the sexual assault happened.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, the girl reported that while she slept on the living room floor with a unicorn blanket, she awoke to find 18-year-old Drake Lease pulling off her underwear before he raped her.
Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena Sarobe said police recovered a unicorn blanket and a pair of pink underwear from the house on Brandamore Road in West Brandywine Township the next day.
"Police were able to take the interview from the 7-year-old and pick up corroborating evidence, particularly clothing,” he said.
The child was taken by ambulance to Children's Hospital in King of Prussia to be treated.
De Barrena Sarobe declined to elaborate on the relationship between Lease and the 7-year-old, but said Lease and the residents of the house knew each other.
Lease, who lives in Honey Brook, was arrested Sunday, July 12. He's charged with child rape and other offenses. He is being held on $750,000 cash bail pending a preliminary hearing August 11.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and are asking anyone with information to contact Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866.