A 28-year-old Osceola Mills man is behind bars after Pennsylvania State Police say he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old Bedford County girl in the parking lot of a church in Kimmel Township. Elijah Helmick was taken into custody at his workplace this week following a months-long investigation and is now jailed on felony rape, statutory sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault charges.
According to wjactv.com, investigators say the teenager met Helmick on Snapchat just days before the alleged assault, which they say happened in mid-January while he was parked outside Claysburg Bible Church. Police say she only knew him by the name “Eli.” The outlet reports Helmick told her he worked at a home-improvement store in State College, a detail WKRC also notes in its own reporting on the case, which can be read here.
Sneaking Out for a Party, Police Say
Investigators say the girl admitted she snuck out of her home without permission and had Helmick pick her up, believing she was headed to a party. Instead, the report states, Helmick drove her to the church parking lot, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her and forced her to perform various sexual acts.
The teen, who was 15 at the time, told police she said no — telling Helmick directly that she did not consent and that she was underage. He allegedly responded, “I don't really care,” according to the same account.
Arrest Came After Months of Investigation
Pennsylvania State Police say the investigation stretched on for months before troopers moved in this week, arresting Helmick at his place of employment. He is now being held at the Bedford County Jail, with bail set at $250,000, per the report.
Helmick faces a slate of serious charges, headlined by felony rape by forcible compulsion, statutory sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault. Under Pennsylvania law, rape by forcible compulsion is classified as a first-degree felony covering sexual intercourse carried out through force, the threat of force, or other specified circumstances involving the complainant's awareness or impairment, according to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
What the Charges Mean Under State Law
The aggravated indecent assault statute addresses penetration, however slight, carried out without consent, by forcible compulsion, or under circumstances involving a complainant under 16 when the other party is at least four years older and the two are not married, the Pennsylvania General Assembly's code states. Statutory sexual assault, meanwhile, is classified as a second-degree felony when the complainant is under 16 and unmarried and the other person is between four and 11 years older, escalating to a first-degree felony when the age gap exceeds 11 years, according to the same source.
The case remains under investigation, and no further details on scheduling or additional proceedings have been made public.
