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Michael Todd Hess, 49, of Quarryville supposedly admitted to the assaults that happened in a church pew of the sanctuary at New Providence Church of God in Providence Township, Pennsylvania State Police explained in the affidavit citing the investigator's interview.
Hess was an Awana Bible Study teacher at the church for the Sparks class for children in kindergarten, first, and second grades, where he instructed numerous children over the years, according to the affidavit.
The dates of the assaults were not available.
**WARNING THE FOLLOWING IS DISTURBING**
The girl told the police she would sit on Hess's lap and he would put his hand down her pants into her panties, inserting his fingers into her vagina for approximately 10 minutes, as detailed in the affidavit.
The girl said the assaults happened while in class in the first row of pews in the sanctuary of the church.
When Hess was interviewed, he admitted to that and added that sometimes he would sit next to her at the end or corner of the pew to do this, in order to hide it from the other students and church leaders. This happened during class and church services, according to Hess's interview cited in the affidavit.
The girl had told PSP Lancaster detectives that this happened between 30-36 times, and when they asked Hess if that was correct he said “highly possible," as written in the affidavit.
The assaults only ended when the girl started third grade, aging out of his class, according to the affidavit. She was 8 years old at the time of the last assault in the church.
**WARNING THE ABOVE DETAILS ARE DISTURBING**
Hess has been charged with multiple felony charges of aggravated indecent assault of a child, unlawful contact with a minor – sexual offenses, aggravated indecent assault, and corruption of minors, according to his court docket. He has also been charged with misdemeanors for the indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age and indecent assault without the consent of another person.
There is no mugshot of Hess available as he was released on $75,000 unsecured bail as set by Judge William R. Mankin II at his preliminary arraignment held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25 — the same day he was interviewed by PSP and arrested, court documents detail.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled before the judge at 9 a.m. on Oct. 7.
Pennsylvania State Police notified the New Providence Church of God immediately after Hess's arrest, and church leadership is fully cooperating with Lancaster Criminal Investigation, according to a press release by PSP Troop J PIO James Grothey.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Trooper Nicholas Reginella by calling Lancaster Station at 717-299-7650.
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