Dylan Keith Shenk, 34, of Penn Township, was ordered to proceed to the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas following a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Torrey Landis, according to a release by the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office on Monday, July 13.
Shenk faces three counts of rape of a child, two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, three counts of aggravated indecent assault, three counts of indecent assault of a person younger than 13, and single counts of unlawful contact with a minor, endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, and related offenses, prosecutors said.
WARNING THE FOLLOWING IS DISTURBING
Shenk repeatedly raped and sexually abused the girl at his home between May 2022 and May 2026, authorities allege.
The victim reported the abuse to the Lebanon County Children and Youth Agency on May 14, one day after the most recent alleged assault, according to prosecutors.
During the preliminary hearing, the victim testified that Shenk raped her in both his bedroom and shower, the DA's Office said.
The child told investigators Shenk gave her melatonin and an iPad before one of the alleged assaults, which allegedly occurred on the bottom bunk of a bunk bed in his bedroom, according to the criminal complaint. She also alleged Shenk placed a blanket to conceal the abuse from others in the home.
While undergoing a medical examination after the alleged May 13 assault, the child told medical staff that Shenk had raped her the night before and had sexually assaulted her on multiple previous occasions, prosecutors said.
The victim provided detailed accounts of the abuse, including allegations that Shenk gave her a sleeping aid that was melatonin-based before at least one assault, identified locations throughout the home where the abuse occurred, and described efforts he allegedly took to hide what was happening, according to the DA's Office and court records.
She also testified that, during one incident, Shenk made her watch while he simulated having sex with a mannequin, according to prosecutors.
The abuse occurred repeatedly whenever the child spent the night at Shenk's home, as alleged in the complaint.
Detectives quickly obtained a search warrant for Shenk’s home and property on Newport Road to search for the items described by the child and document evidence inside the residence, authorities detailed.
At approximately 8:34 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, detectives and patrol officers served the warrant and took Shenk into custody, police said.
Shenk was transported to NLCRPD headquarters for questioning and was “forthcoming” about where some of the items connected to the assaults were located, according to investigators.
Shenk recently pleaded guilty to a negotiated DUI drug charge stemming from a December 2025 arrest and was sentenced on June 11 to five years of probation, including 21 days of house arrest with electronic monitoring, according to court records.
Shenk also previously made a post on Facebook that read: “The longer you stay celibate, the idea of someone touching you who doesn’t meet your wants or needs... mentally, spiritually or physically will make you feel sick.”
In this case, bail was initially denied because “no condition or combination of conditions can ensure the public safety,” according to court records, but Shenk is currently free after posting $250,000 bail, prosecutors said in Monday's release.
Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Detective Theresa Stauffer filed the charges. Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Ponessa is prosecuting the case.
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