New Child Sex Abuse Charges Added To Chesco Man's Previous 50

WEST CHESTER, PA — A Chester County man charged in May with 50 counts of sexual abuse of a child under 10 has been charged with 20 more counts related to the alleged abuse of another child.

The Chester County District Attorney's Office announced a second set of charges against Russell Thayer Bullitt, 76, in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of another child under the age of 10 in his Birmingham Township home at 904 Roundelay Lane, a West Chester postal address.

Bullitt is charged with 20 counts each of aggravated indecent assault of a child, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, and related offenses.

Bullitt was charged on May 1 with sexual abuse, related to a different child who was also under the age of 10 in his West Chester home, in multiple incidents allegedly occurring over a four-year span, according to the District Attorney's report.

At that time, he was charged with 50 counts each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a victim under 13, unlawful contact with a minor, aggravated indecent assault of a child, and related charges, the D.A.'s report said.

He is being held without bail at Chester County Prison.

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said, "What the defendant did to these two children is reprehensible, and my office will prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law. The courage of the victims to disclose their abuse is remarkable for their young ages.

The criminal complaint against Bullitt states that on April 28 Chester County Detectives learned that the defendant had sexually abused a child inside his home when the child was between 5 and 9 years of age. The victim revealed the abuse because the child was concerned the defendant was grooming another child to be sexually abused, the complaint said.

The parents of the second victim contacted investigators on July 21 after the child revealed to them that she had been sexually abused on multiple occasions when she was at the defendant's house. The abuse occurred between 2020 and 2021. According to the criminal complaint, the abuse happened every time the child victim was at Bullitt's house.

Chester County Detectives are investigating the case. Assistant District Attorney Sam Bonsall is the prosecutor.

The District Attorney encourages all adults in Chester County to take a course to help them identify child abuse. She said, "Adults must ensure that our children are kept safe by educating themselves and their children about safe and not safe touches. Taking a free Stewards of Children class is an important step toward learning about these safeguards."

Learn to recognize, react, report child sexual abuse by taking a free virtual Stewards of Children workshop. Contact County Coordinator Katie Walters at kwalters@chesco.org or 610-344-6115 for more information.

The District Attorney's Office said anyone who suspects a child is being abused should call Childline at 1-800-932-0313.

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