DNA evidence remains valid in child sexual assault case
Kuklo facing rape counts tied to allegations of two girls
Trending
HOLLIDAYSBURG -- DNA evidence remains valid in a Blair County child rape case, even though Altoona police initially co-mingled 10 sex toys, including one that leaked a substance into the bottom of an evidence bag.
Despite the co-mingling and subsequent repackaging, a state police forensic scientist said Tuesday that the DNA evidence he reviewed can be linked to Albert Otto Kuklo III and through direct contact.
"Things like secondary transfers lead to smaller DNA content," forensic scientist Travis Miller said. "These samples were more in line with (Kuklo) having actual contact with the item."
Kuklo, 39, is a former Altoona man facing multiple counts of child rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and related offenses in connection with the allegations of two adolescent girls.
Altoona police, who charged Kuklo, initiated an investigation after reporting to a residence on the 100 block of 16th Street in September 2022 after a caller indicated that Kuklo had sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl.
When interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center, the 12-year-old girl reportedly revealed that the assaults started when she was five years old. The girl also spoke of seeing Kuklo rape an 11-year-old girl at a residence in Claysburg.
When the 11-year-old girl was interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center, she revealed that if she and the 12-year-old girl didn't have sex with Kuklo, he would take things from them and prohibit them from going outside, except to get on the school bus.
The 11-year-old also, during her interview, described sex toys that Kuklo was alleged to have used -- which were later found in the basement of the residence on the 100 block of 16th Street.
Patrolman James Metzgar testified that he went to the residence to collect the sex toys and other items found in a suitcase. Metzgar said he grouped the sex toys and put them into one evidence bag. He said he put additional items into additional bags.
Sgt. Eric Heuston testified that after the bag labeled as sex toys was submitted to the state police laboratory for DNA testing, it was subsequently returned with instructions to reduce the amount of items and to bag each separately.
"There was a wet residue in the bottom of the (returned) bag ... like an oil stain," the sergeant said as he suggested that it likely came from one of the older sex toys, which appeared to be deteriorating.
When Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Mays asked Heuston if the lab offered any evidentiary concerns, Heuston said that the lab's instructions were to reduce the amount of items to four, and to bag each separately.
Acting Chief Public Defender Julia Burke, who represents Kuklo, told Judge Jackie Bernard that in light of the clarifications offered through testimony, she would withdraw a motion challenging the evidence based on how it was collected and potentially tainted.
Bernard also advised the attorneys to review the CAC interviews and alert her if there's a need for rulings in preparation for the July 21 jury selection for a trial likely to be scheduled in August.
Kuklo has remained in Blair County Prison since May 2024, when he was extradited from Louisiana, where he reportedly fled in December 2023 after learning of a warrant for his arrest. Kuklo's bail remains set at $2 million cash.
Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.