Ambridge Man Faces Child Rape Hearing Today

An Ambridge man who is accused of raping his girlfriend’s 8-year-old daughter is scheduled to appear in court today for a preliminary hearing.

Richard G. McCracken, 28, is charged with two counts of rape and one count each of indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children, statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor.

According to Allegheny County Police detectives, the girl, now 11, described multiple incidents in which McCracken assaulted her. Police said the assaults began at a home when the girl was 8 years old and continued until she was 10.

The girl told detectives McCracken ordered her to sit on his lap while he molested her, police said. After many of the encounters, the girl told detectives she went into her room and cried with her teddy bear.

Police said McCracken also physically assaulted the girl to the extent that she had visible injuries as a result. Police said the girl's mother told her to lie about the injuries and tell people she fell off her bike.

McCracken has an extensive criminal history, based on state court records.

in 2009 charged McCracken with attempted homicide and carrying a firearm without a license. McCracken later pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court and the other charges were withdrawn.

Coraopolis Police last year charged McCracken with fleeing or attempting to elude police, in addition to numerous traffic violations. That case remains open in Common Pleas Court.

McCracken was arraigned June 22, and his bond was set at $150,000 straight.