en en en en sv pl en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — A man charged with abducting a 4-year-old girl from her home in Washington Township, Pa., last month didn't appear for his first court proceeding since his arrest four days after the girl was found.
Thomas Andrew Dewald, 20, of Harbaugh Church Road in Washington Township waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday before a magisterial district judge at a central court session at the Franklin County (Pa.) Courthouse.
Dewald was in the courthouse, according to officials, but wasn't brought into the jury assembly room where central court is based.
A preliminary hearing, if held, determines if a judge finds there is enough evidence to send a case to the Court of Common Pleas.
A mandatory arraignment, in which Dewald will enter a plea, was set for June 26 before President Judge Carol Van Horn.
Dewald is charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment of a minor, corruption of minors, unlawful restraint, indecent assault, recklessly endangering another person and multiple other charges, court records said.
Dewald allegedly took the girl from her Pen Mar Road home in the early-morning hours of April 25. She was found later that morning 2 1/2 miles away along Harbaugh Church Road — about 50 yards from the home where Dewald was staying with relatives, court records said.
Authorities allege he bound the girl with tape and placed her in a wooden chest in his bedroom. Police said in charging documents it was unclear how the girl escaped from the home.
Dewald also is accused of breaking into another nearby Washington Township home along Lower Edgemont Road, and trying to take another child.
Police confronted Dewald as he returned home from work four days after the 4-year-old was found. He consented to a search of his vehicle and voluntarily gave a DNA sample.
Dewald allegedly admitted to abducting the girl and was taken to the Pennsylvania State Police barrack in Chambersburg.
Dewald has been held since his arrest at the Franklin County Jail without bail.
Careers Staff Directory Accessibility Site Map Legals Our Ethical Principles Terms of Service Privacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy PolicyDo Not Sell My Info / Cookie Policy
Contact Us Support Local Business Advertise Your Business Advertising Terms and Conditions Licensing & Reprints Help Center Subscriber Guide My Account Give Feedback