Suspect in child sex abuse case takes plea, receives 10 years’ probation

Bem pleads guilty to misdemeanor corruption of minors charges

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- The Hollidaysburg man charged with child sexual abuse and related offenses across three separate but related cases pleaded guilty Wednesday to three misdemeanor counts and was sentenced to 10 years' probation.

Kyler Felix Bem, 20, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of corruption of minors and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He originally faced a felony count of interference with the custody of children and a misdemeanor count of corruption of minors in one case; a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia in a second case; and two felony counts each of child sexual abuse material, sexual abuse of a minor and photographing, videotaping, depicting on computer or filming sexual acts of a minor in a third case.

Presiding Senior Judge Jolene Grubb Kopriva sentenced Bem to five-years' probation at each of the misdemeanor corruption of minors charges to run consecutively to each other. She then imposed no further sentence on the misdemeanor drug charge.

Kopriva also ordered Bem to pay a $100 fine, pay the cost of prosecution and undergo mental health and drug and alcohol evaluations. Bem's remaining charges were withdrawn and dismissed.

Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks told Kopriva that Bem hoped to join the military and that, if he were to be accepted, he would be able to apply for early termination of his probation.

Weeks said the victim's mother had been contacted regarding the plea deal, but that she remained in disagreement. She did not appear in court for Bem's hearings.

"This does allow him to make some changes and adjustments to his life," Weeks said, before adding that the DA's Office would not make a similar offer in the future if Bem were to reoffend.

Kopriva then questioned Bem regarding circumstances that led to his cases being filed in March 2025, asking how he would explain them to a recruiter.

"It was a mistake I made in high school and I want to do better," Bem said.

When given further opportunity to address the court, Bem said he was "grateful for this chance to have a future and create a career for myself."

Bem had previously been scheduled for plea court five times, with four of those being continued due to his repeated failure to appear. He remained free on $100,000; $25,000; and $10,000 unsecured bails since his first case was filed in March 2025 until Judge Jackie Atherton Bernard issued bench warrants for Bem's arrest in April.

At that time, defense attorney Devin Bennati informed the court that he had been working with the DA's Office to reach a resolution but had been unable to due to Bem's ongoing absence. He also told Bernard that Bem was behind on his payments to costs and fines.

The child sexual abuse charges were brought against Bem following an investigation started by Hollidaysburg police on Jan. 17, 2025, after they were contacted by the 17-year-old victim's mother, reporting that the victim never entered Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School after being dropped off early that morning.

Police contacted district officials, who confirmed the victim was spotted on cameras being dropped off at the high school, but walked in the direction of C.W. Longer Elementary School instead. A district administrator advised police that the victim and Bem were allegedly in a relationship and that Bem had not been at school since the previous Friday.

Officers obtained a search warrant for Bem's residence on Jan. 18 and found the victim. Police seized Bem's and the victim's phones, court documents state.

Bem's cellphone revealed a screenshot of the victim's missing persons report posted to the Hollidaysburg police's Facebook page, TikTok searches for "tips for running away as a kid" and about 325 sexually explicit images and videos of the victim. Officers also located about 15 explicit images and videos of a second 17-year-old victim, the police report states.

Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor-Musselman is at 814-946-7458.