Leetsdale Judge Postpones Child Rape Hearing

A preliminary hearing was postponed today for an Ambridge man accused of raping a young girl.

Although Richard McCracken, 28, of Ambridge and his 11-year-old accuser appeared in court this afternoon, neither of the girl’s biological parents were present to offer guardianship on her behalf that would have allowed her to testify.  The girl’s biological father’s fiancée accompanied her.

The unidentified woman said she was told she could stand in as the girl’s guardian because the girl’s biological father, who has custody, is out of town on business.

Robert Ford continued McCracken’s hearing to July 12. At the request of McCracken's Pittsburgh attorney, David DeFazio, the judge also reduced bond from $150,000 to $50,000 straight and ordered McCracken to stay away from the girl if he does post bail.

, 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 and continued until she was 10.

Police said McCracken physically assaulted the girl in a way that resulted in visible injuries. Police said the girl's mother told her to lie about the injuries and tell people she fell off her bike.

DeFazio said the girl’s biological mom denies that happened. DeFazio said he spoke to the girl’s mother Monday and was under the impression she’d be in court today. Ongoing custody issues might be the reason, but DeFazio said he was unsure.

DeFazio said his client is innocent and can't believe he's locked up based on some accusation.

“He’s made it clear to me he did not do this, and the biological mother has made it clear to me he would have had no opportunity to do this," DeFazio said.

A standing-room-only group of family and friends crowded inside Ford’s courtroom in support of McCracken. After the postponement, some uttered words of support to McCracken as they cleared out.

McCracken did not post bond today and was taken back to Allegheny County Jail.

McCracken’s aunt, Marsha Shackelford-Ellis, wiped away tears as she left the courtroom. She maintains her nephew is innocence but told Patch she also feels bad for the child.

“We believe Richie McCracken is innocent, and we have sympathy for the little girl,” Shackelford-Ellis said. “I cried. She’s just an innocent baby, and Richie did not do this.”