LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — Police have arrested a Washington state man for allegedly sexually abusing his child in Lancaster County, and officials are still searching for a second suspect, the mother of the child.

According to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office, police took 56-year-old John Dehart into custody on April 18 in Philadelphia on charges related to the sexual assault of his child. Police are also searching for the child's mother, 34-year-old Sarah Miller, also on charges related to the rape of a child.

The DA said Miller's last known address is in Nanticoke, Luzerne County, and she may go by first name "Sara" and use the last name "Souder".

Police became aware of the alleged abuse in December of 2023, when a witness in a separate investigation disclosed the information. The DA said that further interviews revealed that the abuse allegedly occurred at a home on Seitz Drive from 2011 through 2013, when the victim was 4 to 6 years old.

According to charging documents, in an interview with police, the victim described an incident where they walked into Dehart and Miller's bedroom and were subsequently made to undress and get in bed with them. The victim was then forced to perform sexual acts, they said.

The victim told police that on multiple occasions, Dehart would sexually assault them, saying if they did not comply, the child would be a "bad kid" and end up in the basement.

At times, the victim said, they were made to sit naked in the basement with the lights out for hours.

In one instance, Dehart reportedly pointed a small gun at the victim and said, "This is a warning."

According to charging documents, the victim told police that two other victims were also living in the home at the time of the abuse.

In interviews with police, the second victim said Dehart once picked them up and took them to the oven, as if he was going to put the victim inside. The third victim told police that Dehart allegedly said something along the lines of, "who wants to be my dinner?"

The second victim also told police that Dehart would occasionally take the first victim away from the others, and when the victim returned, they would be crying, court documents show.

Dehart is charged with rape of a child, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, incest, indecent assault, corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of children, and terroristic threats. He is being in the Lancaster County Prison on a $1 million bail.

Miller is also charged with rape of a child, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, incest, indecent assault, corruption of minors, and endangering the welfare of children.

Anyone with information about Miller's location is asked to call East Hempfield Township Police Department Detective Tyler Clisham at (717) 989-3103 or to leave a tip online via CrimeWatch.

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