HICKORY TWP., Pa. (EYT) – Charges have been filed against a Forest County couple after a child was reportedly assaulted and restrained with duct tape.
According to court documents, Marienville-based State Police filed criminal charges against 37-year-old Karisa Lynn Rue and 32-year-old Harland Joseph Rue, both of East Hickory.
On March 14, 2022, PSP Marienville responded to a call from a Forest County CYS supervisor regarding an incident that took place on March 13, 2022, at a location in Hickory Township, Forest County, between Karisa Rue, Harland Rue, and a child, according to a criminal complaint.
In the presence of the CYS supervisor, on March 14, around 4:30 p.m., a PSP Trooper spoke with the child (victim) in the Forest County CYS office.
The victim informed the officer that on the afternoon of March 13, (his/her) right hand was physically restrained with duct tape. The restraint was placed from the knuckles of the victim’s hand up past the wrist which prevented the use of the right hand. The victim was forced to shower while (his/her) hands were bound, and then the victim’s restraints were removed. The victim’s hand and wrist were once again restrained, and then the victim was told to go to bed where the victim was further restrained, according to the complaint.
During an interview with Karisa Rue, she reportedly stated there was arguing and issues with the child, so after dinner, she restrained the child with duct tape, and that the child was duct-taped from approximately 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Police also interviewed Harland Rue, and he reportedly stated that on the afternoon of March 13, there was arguing and issues with the child and he struck (him/her) in the right side of the right leg with a closed fist three times in an effort to discipline the child. Harlan Rue also acknowledged that the child was physically restrained on (his/her) right hand up past the child’s wrist and that he did not attempt to free the child.
The trooper observed redness and bruising to the victim’s right leg with was consistent with closed fist strikes and red markings on the child’s right wrist and right ankle caused by the duct tape, according to the complaint.
Karisa Rue was arraigned at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 15, on the following charges in Magisterial District Judge Daniel L. Miller’s office:
– Endangering Welfare of Children – Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Felony 3 (two counts)
– Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary (two counts)
She is currently free on $100,000.00 unsecured bail.
Harlan Rue was arraigned at 10:00 p.m. on March 14 in front of Judge Miller on the following charges:
– Endangering Welfare of Children – Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Felony 3
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 3
– Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary
He is currently free on $100,000.00 unsecured bail.
Preliminary hearings are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 19 with Judge Miller presiding.
According to court documents, additional charges of Simple Assault, Child Endangerment, and Harassment were filed against Harland Rue were filed and are listed as awaiting preliminary arraignment.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Several details were removed from this article to help protect the identity of the victim.
