MARPLE TOWNSHIP, PA — Marple Township Police have charged a 38-year-old man after a missing juvenile from Philadelphia reported that she had been held against her will and sexually assaulted over multiple days inside a residence in the Marple Woods Condominium Complex.
Shortly after 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 20, officers were dispatched to the 2200 block of Aspen Circle for a located female juvenile. According to police, the 14-year-old had been reported missing from Philadelphia on Sunday, November 16, and was located earlier on November 20 in Chester City by family members, who then brought her to the Marple Woods complex.
When officers arrived, they were met by the juvenile and several family members. Police were advised that the girl had allegedly been unlawfully restrained and subjected to multiple sexual assaults at a residence within the complex. She was transported to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
Officers took a male suspect into custody at the scene without incident. Marple Township Police officers and detectives later executed a search warrant at the residence and continued their investigation through the night.
The suspect has been identified as Davontae Lawler-Stinney, 38, of Aspen Circle. According to police, he is charged with the following offenses under Pennsylvania law:
- Rape by Forcible Compulsion (Title 18, Section 3121)
- Statutory Sexual Assault (Title 18, Section 3122)
- Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse (Title 18, Section 3123)
- Sexual Assault (Title 18, Section 3124)
- Indecent Assault by Forcible Compulsion (Title 18, Section 3126)
- Unlawful Restraint of a Minor (Title 18, Section 2909)
- False Imprisonment of a Minor (Title 18, Section 2903)
- Interference with Custody of Children (Title 18, Section 2904)
- Strangulation (Title 18, Section 2718)
- Terroristic Threats (Title 18, Section 2706)
Lawler-Stinney is currently in custody at Marple Township Police Headquarters awaiting arraignment. Police also note that he is a registered Tier 3 Megan’s Law sex offender.
In a written statement, Police Chief Brandon Graeff said he wants residents—particularly those in the Marple Woods community—to know that Lawler-Stinney “no longer lives among you nor poses a threat.” The chief credited the juvenile for coming forward and praised the “dedicated, driven officers and detectives” whose actions led to the swift apprehension of the suspect. He specifically cited the response by Sgt. Kyle Engelman and Officers Ricky Dempsey and Austin Bleacher, noting their use of de-escalation techniques to maintain order during a highly emotional situation.
Chief Graeff also recognized Deputy District Attorney Kristen Kemp for her assistance in charging decisions and for her ongoing work on behalf of sex-crime complainants.
All of the offenses described are allegations at this stage of the proceedings, and any suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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