Phoenixville Man Charged with Fondling Child

Warning: the language in this report is occasionally sexually explicit and may not be appropriate for all readers.

A 61-year-old Phoenixville man is in Chester County Prison after police say he fondled a 4-year-old girl on New Year's Eve in 2010.

On Wednesday, an investigation of more than two years culminated in felony charges of aggravated indecent assault of a child and corruption of minors being levied against Mark Donald Gear, according to court documents.

On Jan. 24, 2011, police say a 4-year-old girl was interviewed at the Chester County Child Advocacy Center by a county detective. The young victim told the detective that on New Year's Eve she was sitting on the defendant's lap when Gear put his hands down her pants and rubbed her groin and buttock area, police said. The girl said the assault occurred at Gear’s 1082 West Bridge Street residence, police said.

The girl said she immediately got off Gear’s lap and ran into the kitchen to tell another adult what had happened, police said.

On March 13 of this year, the Chesco detective questioned the girl, who is now 6 years old. The girl gave the same account she had more than two years ago, police said.

On March 20, Gear was charged for his alleged actions. He was confined to Chester County Prison when he was unable to post bail. He faces a preliminary hearing on Thursday.

Update: Gear's preliminary hearing has been continued to April 4.