Harford County Man Convicted In Rape, Sexual Abuse Of 12-Year-Old Girl

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A Harford County man has been convicted in the rape and sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl who was at times in his care.

According to evidence presented at trial, in September 2022, Steven Charles Katsikides was at a house with the child, who was home sick from school. Katsikides lured her into his bedroom, locked the door and forced her to watch pornography with him.

He later sexually assaulted the child while her mother took other children to school, prosecutors said.

Two detectives from the Harford County Child Advocacy Center testified about text messages Katsikides sent to the girl after the incident that asked her to keep quiet about the incident.

Testimony from the victim and another girl, who also was a minor, revealed Katsikides installed surveillance cameras around the house and warned the child that he would know if she told other family members.

The child reported the abuse about six months after the incident took place, a responding sheriff's deputy testified.

The victim's mother said in court that she dropped a protective order against Katsikides so he could return to their home after the abuse was disclosed. The victim's father testified that a family member of Katsikides shared concerns that Katsikides was looking at her inappropriately, but the victim did not tell an adult, according to court documents.

Katsikides was found guilty of one count of sex abuse of a minor, one count of second-degree rape, three counts of third-degree sex offense and one count of false imprisonment.

“Delayed report child abuse cases are assuredly some of the most challenging cases handled by my office," Harford County State's Attorney Alison Healey said. "The professionalism, compassion, and determination demonstrated by the members of our Child Advocacy Center team is unmatched, and I am so grateful for their passion for giving voices to our most vulnerable victims. I commend this child’s courage and bravery to confront her abuser in open court and help us ensure that he will never again victimize another child.”

Katsikides will remain at the Harford County Detention Center until his sentencing.