DNA of Aborted Fetus Leads to Rape Charges

It was "he said, she said" until DNA results matched suspect 99.99 percent

Upper Darby police say a DNA sample taken from an aborted fetus has led to the arrest of a rape suspect.

Upper Darby police Superintendent Michael Chitwood says 26-year-old Samuel Nyenka was arrested last week.

Chitwood says the alleged victim did not immediately come forward because Nyenka is her sister's boyfriend. It was only after she learned she was pregnant that she spoke with police four months later.

"She was concerned it would destroy any relationship she had with her sister, who seemed to be in love with this guy, and she wondered who would believe her," Chitwood told the Daily News.

Chitwood said Tuesday that Nyenka denied any sexual contact with the woman, consensual or not.

"It was a question of he said, she said," Chitwood told the Daily News.

With the alleged victim's permission and a search warrant, police obtained a DNA sample from the fetus. He says tests determined Nyenka was the father, with 99.99 percent certainty.

"This is one of the more sensational cases we've seen," Chitwood said. "It just goes to show how the technology of DNA has expanded the investigative process."

Police charged Nyenka with rape, sexual assault and related offenses. He is being held on $150,000 bail at the Delaware County prison. It was not clear if he had an attorney.
      
 

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