State police arrested an elderly Hempfield man on Wednesday on allegations that he molested a girl over five years, starting in 2008.

Charles Donald Howard, 84, is charged with aggravated indecent assault.

Troopers said in court papers that they received a ChildLine report about the allegations, which the accuser said happened between 2008 and 2013 when she was between 6 and 11 years old.

The girl said during police interviews in December 2017 and May 2018 that she started to have flashbacks. She reported to investigators numerous incidents of inappropriate touching involving Howard while she slept, according to the complaint. Howard is free on $50,000 unsecured bail.

A woman who answered the phone at his home directed a reporter to his attorney, who could not immediately be reached.

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@tribweb.com or via Twitter @byrenatta.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)