MedicCook
03-24-2007, 09:11 AM
Baby-sitter indicted in rape of 8-year-old girl
Arbor Hill man allegedly assaulted the child during a birthday party in October
ALBANY -- A 44-year-old man who regularly baby-sits for children in his Arbor Hill neighborhood has been indicted on charges he raped an 8-year-old girl in October.
George Swindell, of 52 Ontario St., second floor, pleaded not guilty on Friday during an arraignment before acting state Supreme Court Justice Dan Lamont.
Sheriff's deputies led Swindell into the mostly empty courtroom in the Albany County Judicial Center his hands shackled in front of him.
He turned several times and swept the room with a gaze, as if he were searching for someone.
An Albany County grand jury indicted Swindell, known by his middle name, Calvin, on charges of first-degree rape and first-degree sex abuse.
Each carries a 25-year term in state prison, if he is convicted.
Authorities said Swindell, who is not licensed to care for children, has been baby-sitting for 15 years and, at times, has had as many as six to 10 children under his care.
He is accused of having sex with the little girl last Oct. 7, during a weekend-long birthday party where other children were present in his home.
Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Bauscher, who works in the Albany County District Attorney's Special Victims Unit, said prosecutors and police have been talking with other families whose children were clients of Swindell, and are encouraging anyone else who thinks their children may have been at risk to come forward.
Defense lawyer Mike Magguilli asked for bail to be set at $20,000, claiming his client was a lifelong area resident with no prior convictions who was cooperative to the extent he voluntarily submitted to a DNA test, when asked.
"He showed up in police court, even though he knew there were serious charges against him," Magguilli said.
Bauscher wanted bail set at $75,000, reminding the judge that there could be other potential victims in the case.
At first, Lamont said he would set bail at $50,000 considering the severity of the crime and what he described as Swindell's "prior felony convictions."
"I have no convictions at all," Swindell said.
Lamont admitted he'd read the paperwork incorrectly and then compromised at $40,000 and issued an order of protection that forbids Swindell from having any contact with children.
As of the end of the day on Friday, however, Swindell was still being held in the Albany County jail.
Authorities said Swindell fled after allegations were raised last fall and wasn't arrested until December, when he made $20,000 bail.
Bauscher said he was rearrested this month and then indicted by a grand jury on Wednesday.
He also was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor in 2002 after a 4-year-old in his care was found wandering alone near Philip Schuyler Elementary School one day at rush hour.
No charges were sustained in that case.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=574850&category=FRONTPG&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=3/24/2007
Arbor Hill man allegedly assaulted the child during a birthday party in October
ALBANY -- A 44-year-old man who regularly baby-sits for children in his Arbor Hill neighborhood has been indicted on charges he raped an 8-year-old girl in October.
George Swindell, of 52 Ontario St., second floor, pleaded not guilty on Friday during an arraignment before acting state Supreme Court Justice Dan Lamont.
Sheriff's deputies led Swindell into the mostly empty courtroom in the Albany County Judicial Center his hands shackled in front of him.
He turned several times and swept the room with a gaze, as if he were searching for someone.
An Albany County grand jury indicted Swindell, known by his middle name, Calvin, on charges of first-degree rape and first-degree sex abuse.
Each carries a 25-year term in state prison, if he is convicted.
Authorities said Swindell, who is not licensed to care for children, has been baby-sitting for 15 years and, at times, has had as many as six to 10 children under his care.
He is accused of having sex with the little girl last Oct. 7, during a weekend-long birthday party where other children were present in his home.
Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Bauscher, who works in the Albany County District Attorney's Special Victims Unit, said prosecutors and police have been talking with other families whose children were clients of Swindell, and are encouraging anyone else who thinks their children may have been at risk to come forward.
Defense lawyer Mike Magguilli asked for bail to be set at $20,000, claiming his client was a lifelong area resident with no prior convictions who was cooperative to the extent he voluntarily submitted to a DNA test, when asked.
"He showed up in police court, even though he knew there were serious charges against him," Magguilli said.
Bauscher wanted bail set at $75,000, reminding the judge that there could be other potential victims in the case.
At first, Lamont said he would set bail at $50,000 considering the severity of the crime and what he described as Swindell's "prior felony convictions."
"I have no convictions at all," Swindell said.
Lamont admitted he'd read the paperwork incorrectly and then compromised at $40,000 and issued an order of protection that forbids Swindell from having any contact with children.
As of the end of the day on Friday, however, Swindell was still being held in the Albany County jail.
Authorities said Swindell fled after allegations were raised last fall and wasn't arrested until December, when he made $20,000 bail.
Bauscher said he was rearrested this month and then indicted by a grand jury on Wednesday.
He also was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor in 2002 after a 4-year-old in his care was found wandering alone near Philip Schuyler Elementary School one day at rush hour.
No charges were sustained in that case.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=574850&category=FRONTPG&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=3/24/2007