A Cabot man is accused of raping and repeatedly sexually assaulting a girl at a Penn Township home over a period of time nearly two years ago, according to charges filed Monday, Sept. 15.

Michael Saunders, 49, is accused of raping the child in 2021 following her 12th birthday and touching her inappropriately on numerous occasions beforehand.

He was charged with one count each of felony rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault without consent, aggravated indecent assault with a complainant who is less than 13 years of age, aggravated indecent assault with a complainant who is less than 16 years of age, aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault of a person less than 16 years of age and corruption of minors; and one count each of misdemeanor indecent assault without consent of others and indecent exposure.

Saunders was arrested by Penn Township Police on Monday. A preliminary hearing in front of District Judge Jack Ripper has not yet been scheduled.

Police had received a ChildLine report on Aug. 12, alleging a 14-year-old child was sexually assaulted by Saunders about two years ago, according to an affidavit.

During a forensic interview Aug. 26, the child stated she and Saunders were initially close but that changed when things “got weird.”

She went on to say Saunders would touch her in an “inappropriate manner,” explaining he would tickle her and then reach into her shirt, which made her feel uncomfortable, according to the affidavit.

The girl told people the sexual assaults escalated in an incident that happened prior to her 12th birthday when she was 11. That incident happened in her bedroom at a residence in Penn Township, the girl told police.

According to the affidavit, the child then described another occasion sometime in 2021, after her 12th birthday, when Saunders both sexually assaulted and raped her at the Penn Township home.