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Former Youth Counselor Accused Of Assaulting Teen

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Gerald Daniels, 29, faced his accuser, a 16-year-old girl, in court on Monday.

Daniels is charged with Indecent assault, corruption of minors, and unlawful contact with a minor. The teenage girl was staying in temporary shelter run by FamilyLinks when the alleged incident took place.

The girl testified directly in court today that Daniels woke her up around 2 a.m., saying it was time for school. According to her testimony Daniels was watching pornography on a cell phone while touching himself next to her bed.

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Authorities removed a portion of carpet from her room to try and make a DNA match. Those results were not available for Monday's hearing. Police testified Daniels admitted touching himself twice while at work.

Daniels was held for court on all charges except one; institutional sexual assault of a minor, which was dismissed at today's hearing.

"Prelims have a very low burden. We just don't think the Commonwealth provided enough facts to sustain the charge and the Judge rightfully agreed," said defense attorney Todd Hollis.

In an earlier statement, FamilyLinks, which runs the facility said Daniels is no longer an employee. He remains free on bail.

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