Centre County man jailed for assaulting child, police said

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A man is facing charges in Centre County for allegedly assaulting and strangling a young child.

Christopher Cicchino, 38, is accused of punching and strangling a child at least twice between August 2023 to April 2024.

It was reported to the State College Police Department that a 4-year-old child told a family member that Cicchino had previously assaulted them. In April, the victim had asked their family member if Cicchino was coming home after being arrested for a separate matter.

Charges show that the relative said no, so the victim opened up about two assaults, which prompted the relative to contact police.

While interviewed, the victim told police that one time Cicchino threw them onto a bed and proceeded to punch them in the stomach before choking them, according to the affidavit. Ciccihino also put a pillow over the victim’s face, according to the victim’s report to police.

The other incident happened in a bathroom where Cicchino allegedly held the victim up against a wall by his throat and slapped them in the face, according to the criminal complaint.

The victim’s relative recalled taking a photo in December 2023 when they thought the victim had a rash on their face. According to the charges filed, a medical doctor was able to examine the photo and determine the redness was consistent with being strangled.

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Ciccihino is in the Centre County Jail with bail set at $25,000. He is charged with two felony counts of strangulation and one of endangering the welfare of a child, along with three misdemeanor counts of simple assault.

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