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John Edward Kraft, 50, of Waynesburg, was arrested in connection with the abuse allegations on Friday, Oct. 21, according to court documents.
Kraft would beat her with a belt and his arm, which has a metal rod in it from surgery, the girl told the state police.
The young girl was repeatedly buried by her father and left in the hole in the yard overnight when he thought she was lying, her 8-year-old brother of the girl told police.
Additionally, Kraft allegedly choked her until she blacked out, according to the police.
Authorities reportedly found the girl's body was covered in old and new bruises, with marks primarily on her head, torso, and butt, according to the criminal complaint.
Kraft has 15 charges filed against him including nine felonies with multiple counts for aggravated assault, strangulation, endangering the welfare of children, false imprisonment of a minor, and unlawful restraint of a minor; as well as six misdemeanors for simple assault and reckless endangerment, court records show.
"The allegations against the Defendant are barbaric and horrific and the 1st degree felony charges are appropriate. I will do everything in my power to protect the children of our community. No child deserves to be treated this way and my office will concentrate our efforts in bring justice for this child. My office has always taken a strong stance on crimes against children. We will not tolerate child abuse in our county and this case will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Greene County District Attorney Dave Russo told Daily Voice in an email.
The child was removed from the home and is currently in a safe place, according to Russo.
Kraft has been held in the Greene County jail after being unable to post the $125,000 unable, and his preliminary hearing has been scheduled before Magisterial District Judge D. Glenn Bates on Nov. 7 at 1 p.m., according to his court docket.
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