February 22, 2016
A Delaware County man entrusted with watching over a 12-year-old girl has been convicted of raping her, prosecutors announced Monday.
According to the Delaware County District Attorney's Office, Patrick Fries, 39, of Prospect Park, was found guilty by a jury Friday on charges related to sexual assault.
The molestation occurred Jan. 10, 2015, at Fries' home where he was babysitting the victim and her younger sister, authorities say.
According to an affidavit, the assault was first reported to police by the victim's maternal grandmother later that month.
Police say they interviewed the victim who told them she slept in the same bed as Fries while her sister and Fries' mother slept in separate rooms.
The victim said she awoke to Fries on top of her with her pants pulled down, raping her, police say. She asked him to stop and he complied, police say.
Fries was arrested and charged with rape of a child, sexual assault, endangering the welfare of children, indecent assault and statutory sexual assault.
He has been jailed and a sentencing is scheduled for May 17.
