A 12-year-old Altoona girl testified Friday that David Allen Helsel identified himself as a cemetery worker when he confronted her and her friends on June 16 at Oak Ridge Cemetery and wrongly accused them of toppling tombstones.
A short time later, Helsel led her and a 14-year-old female friend into a wooded area, then promised to let them go in exchange for sexual relations.
After the friend escaped, the 12-year-old said Helsel put his arm around her neck, causing her to fall to the ground and hit her head on a rock. He then attempted to pull down her jean shorts while she was screaming.
"I kicked him in the stomach and scratched his face," she testified.
That's when Altoona police officers arrived.
Helsel, a registered sex offender under Pennsylvania's Megan's Law, was arrested that night and remains in Blair County Prison with bail set at $500,000.
Magisterial District Judge Todd Kelly, after hearing the girl testify, sent charges of kidnapping, unlawful restraint, indecent exposure, simple assault, terroristic threats, attempted rape, indecent assault and harassment to Blair County court.
Assistant District Attorney Daniel Kiss said prosecutors would not pursue a rape charge.
Helsel's county court arraignment is set for Aug. 14.
Assistant Public Defender Justin Ketchel asked the girl if she and her friends were yelling at Helsel. She said no. He asked if they talked with him about buying "weed." The girl said no.
Ketchel also asked why she and her friend didn't yell for help when they were walking with Helsel as he led them toward the woods.
"We were too scared," the 12-year-old said.
Helsel was released from state prison Feb. 22 after serving nine years on two counts of rape. He was arrested Feb. 22, 2000, on charges of raping a 7-year-old girl beneath the Seventh Street Bridge in 1999.
The 12-year-old who testified Friday had no trouble identifying Helsel in the courtroom. With her hand clasping the end of her shirt cuff, she used one finger to point out Helsel as the man who attacked her. Her eyes barely glanced in his direction.
