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SALEM TWP. — A man from Danville was arraigned Wednesday on charges he molested two girls inside a Salem Township office last month.

David Warren McConnell, 55, kissed and hugged a 12-year-old girl and kissed and groped a 13-year-old girl at his place of employment March 23, according to court papers.

McConnell was arraigned by District Judge Matthew Christopher in Shickshinny on two counts of corruption of minors and a single count of indecent assault. He remained jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $75,000 bail.

According to a criminal complaint:

Township police said they were notified by the principal at Berwick Area Middle School in Salem Township on March 26 that two girls reported they were kissed and hugged inappropriately March 23.

The two girls were interviewed separately at the Luzerne County Children’s Advocacy Center on April 5.

The 12-year-old told a forensic interviewer that she often visits her grandfather at a manufacturing business on Fowler Street after school and is accompanied by her 13-year-old friend. She claimed the grandfather gives them money to buy a drink at a store.

While visiting the grandfather, she claimed they met a co-worker they know only as Dave, who would also give them money. The girls called Dave their best friend, who would ask how their school day went.

Both girls say the grandfather didn’t have any money to give them after school on March 23, but Dave offered to give them money and invited them to an office.

When they entered, Dave closed the door and gave the 12-year-old a hug and kissed her on the cheek close to her lips. He then hugged the 13-year-old with both hands sliding down to her buttocks.

The 13-year-old girl said she gave her friend a look to tell her she wanted to leave. Both girls left the facility and nearly ran to get away as fast as possible in case the suspect followed them.

The grandfather later identified Dave as McConnell.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled May 1 in Luzerne County Central Court.

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By Ed Lewis

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