A Falls Township man convicted of repeatedly sexually assaulting two 9-year-old girls was sentenced Tuesday, Jan. 17, to 23 to 46 years in state prison, the Bucks County District Attorney’s office said
Craig S. Hartman, 69, was convicted by a Bucks County jury in September of one count of rape of a child and two counts each of aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault, indecent exposure, corruption of minors, and unlawful contact with a minor.
Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey L. Finley sentenced Hartman to consecutive sentences for each of the victims, totaling 23 to 46 years in state prison. In addition, he adopted the finding of the Sex Offender Assessment Board, which classified Hartman as a sexually violent predator, meaning he will be required to report as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
The investigation began in July 2020 when Falls Township police received a report that one of the victims, who was 10 at the time, had been sexually assaulted by Hartman. During the investigation, the victim told police that her best friend was also sexually assaulted by Hartman.
The crimes happened in Falls Township and Middletown Township. The sexual assaults happened in a swimming pool, at Hartman’s apartment and at other locations in Bucks County.
Both victims testified during the trial in September. In court Tuesday, Chief Deputy District Attorney Kristin M. McElroy read victim impact statements prepared by one of the victims and the victim’s mother.
The victim said the assaults caused fear and anxiety and affected her everyday life. She said she is relieved that the trial is finally over “and I do not have to worry about seeing him ever again.”
Her mother described her daughter as “the bravest little girl I know for standing up for herself and telling a full court room what had happened to her. She seriously is a very strong girl and is growing into the most inspirational strong young lady.”
The mother said, “having one less person out in this world who takes advantage of children will definitely help me sleep better at night.”
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
