Police: Relative believed relation with minor was fine in the eyes of God
Monroeton, Township, Pa. — A man accused of raping a minor relative justified his relationship by telling the child it was his job to repopulate the Earth.
Using religion as justification for the sexual relationship, Scott Sandfort, 50, of Monroeton, eventually impregnated the relative during the course of a nine-year relationship, police said. A paternity test revealed Sandfort as the father in August of this year, according to reports from the Pennsylvania State Police.
In May, Children and Youth workers in Bradford County received a referral, stating Sandfort was in a sexual relationship with a family member, according to Trooper Matthew Santiago. The report alleged Sandfort was the biological father of her child, Santiago wrote in the report.
Two relatives who were interviewed claimed Sandfort was the father of the child, Santagio said. Photos provided to investigators allegedly showed Sandfort with the victim and his hands on her belly and upper thighs. One photo was titled "Mommy, Daddy & (infant)" Santagio added. A video with decorations of Sandfort and the victim's name together can be seen.
Sandfort allegedly told the relatives to tell police and social workers he was not in a relationship with the victim. Both claimed Sandfort showered with the victim. Search warrants for DNA from Sandfort, the victim, and another relative were executed at the end of July, according to the affidavit.
At the end of August, a DNA paternity test from DDC DNA Diagnostic Center proved Sandfort was the father of the child. The evidence was presented to the victim two days later.
Over the course of two interviews at the Towanda PSP Barracks, the victim confessed to being in a relationship with Sandfort, according to the complaint. "She explained the relationship between Scott (Sandfort) and her began when she was approximately 16 or 17 years old," Santiago said. The victim claimed it started with touches here and there. She stated it continued through to the present, Santiago added.
The victim said she was scared of losing custody of the child. "She related she understands [Sandfort] is sick and she has been very afraid to tell anyone for years," Santiago said. Fear over the family being separated allegedly played a role in her decision to remain quiet for nine years.
Sandfort allegedly justified the sexual relationship through religion, telling the victim 'Eve was made of Adam and she was made of him,' according to Santiago. Sandfort felt the relationship was "acceptable" in the eyes of God, Santiago wrote in his report. "He told her it was his job to repopulate the Earth," Santiago said.
The victim said they had sex "probably once a week" during the interview. She referred to it as common. "She also related [Sandfort] was very controlling and she would have to always tell him where she was going, because he keeps track of her," Santiago said.
Sandfort threatened to take family members and the child away from the victim if he went to jail, according to the complaint. Suicidal threats along with telling the victim she would lose the child were some of the tactics used by Sandfort to keep her silent, Santiago wrote in the report. The victim responded "yes" when asked if Sandfort had raped her.
Sandfort is being charged with ten counts each of rape by forcible compulsion, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault by forcible compulsion, and incest of a minor. An additional charge of corruption of minors is also listed on the docket.
Sandfort is free after posting $200,000 monetary bail. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing this week in Bradford County.
