Pennsylvania

Main Line Scout Leader Puts Family Member Through ‘Hellacious' Sex Abuse: Police

UPDATE: Charles Robinson waived his preliminary hearing and was offered a plea deal Thursday.


Police in suburban Philadelphia's Main Line charged a married former youth coach, Boy Scouts leader and church member with sexually abusing a family member starting when the child was only 13 years old.

Radnor Police Superintendent William Colarulo joined the Delaware County’s District Attorney’s Office to announce the arrest of 60-year-old Charles Robinson, now of Paoli, Pennsylvania. The arrest came after a family member alerted Chester County youth services who then contacted Radnor police since the alleged incidents played out in Radnor Township.

"It was learned that the victim, who is a family member, has been sexually molested since the age of 13," said Colarulo.

The abuse lasted at least four years, said Colarulo.

"It progressed to the point where it was basically hellacious and unbearable for our victim," said Colarulo.

Colarulo said the abuse began with massages and progressed to late-night incidents in the victim's bedroom and attempted trips to the shower.

Robinson -- a married father with both biological and adopted children -- would "remove the victim's cellphone so that the victim was not able to make contact with anybody else," said Colarulo.

The victim is now an adult, said Colarulo who didn't want to reveal any further details as to protect the victim's identity.

Colarulo said that detectives were worried that Robinson could flee to an out-of-state mountain home he owns so they quickly acted and arrested him on Dec. 31 -- Robinson's 60th birthday.

Investigators wanted to make sure there are no more victims.

"Robinson had an affiliation with the Boy Scouts of America, as well as various youth groups where he was a coach -- basketball coach -- involved in a lot programs and he was also involved with the Church of the Savior church where he was involved in adoption services with that church.

"If there are any other victims that are holding this in and carrying this around -- it's a terrible burden -- please let us help you," said Colarulo.

Police asked anyone with information on Robinson's conduct or with concerns about Robinson to contact Radnor Police.

A spokesman for the church called the allegations shocking and said that Robinson would no longer be permitted to have any roles with any children's groups.

Boy Scouts of America Cradle of Liberty CEO Daniel Templar expressed the council's support for the victim in this case.

"The behavior included in these allegations is abhorrent and runs counter to everything for which the Boy Scouts of America stands," Templar said in a prepared release. "Mr. Robinson was a former volunteer leader with the Boy Scouts of America and had cleared the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law criminal background check and there are no reports of any inappropriate behavior regarding Mr. Robinson within Scouting. Although this individual is no longer involved in our programs and these actions appear to be unrelated to Scouting, upon learning of these allegations we precluded him from any further participation in the Scouting program."

Robinson, who has no previous history of sex offenses, faces corruption of minors, indecent assault, child endangerment and related offenses, said court records.

Robinson posted bail on Monday and has applied for a public defender. Investigators expected the victim to testify at Robinson's preliminary hearing on Thursday.

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