Seven Valleys man, 50, charged with rape of child says she 'seduced' him: police affidavit

A York County man is facing multiple charges after police say he allegedly raped a female he was babysitting nearly a decade ago.

Harold Shank, 50, of Seven Valleys faces Shank felony charges including rape of a child, corruption of minors, two counts of aggravated indecent assault, and indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age, after he allegedly admitted to officers that he had sex with a girl he used to babysit, according to charging documents by the Northern York County Regional Police Department.

"I had sex with her...I'll leave it at that," Shank said without hesitation, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Shank advised that he knew the victim's mother since childhood and told officers he had gone on trips with the victim's family. He allegedly told officers he believed the child was 12 years old when this took place and claimed the young girl "seduced" him.

According to charging documents, Shank grew "anxious" during the interview, and began asking about specific charges.

One week earlier, on Friday, May 17, the victim and her father were at the NYCRPD substation for an interview and had expressed to police that she was 8 years old when her mother began dropping her off at Shank's for "babysitting purposes," which began as visits that would last a few hours, to eventually overnight stays.

The victim told officers she would sleep on the couch during overnight stays, and Shank would check on her during the night. He allegedly would get close to her, "touching her thighs" and eventually instructed her to "remove her clothes" while in his bedroom, according to charging documents.

The victim said Shank's behavior would eventually lead to sexual abuse, which lasted for "about two years until she was approximately 10 years old."

At the time, the victim said her parents were involved in a custody dispute over her, and her father was eventually awarded full custody, and she had not been to Shank's residence since, charging documents stated.

Victim found hand-written note from Shank inside car

In March 2024, the victim said, Shank began showing up at her job.

She told officers she found a hand-written note on her steering wheel, stating "Friday, wait till after 3 p.m." Eventually, the victim would find several trinkets left in her car.

After contacting her employer to check security camera footage, it was confirmed that Shank was responsible, court documents say.

These were the first few encounters she had experienced with Shank since she was approximately 10 years old, and as she grew concerned for her safety, she decided to reach out to law enforcement.

Shank is currently being held in York County Prison with bail at $150,000. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 7 before Magisterial District Judge Thomas J. Reilly.