NORRISTOWN — A Delaware County man who admitted sexually abusing two young girls over a span of nearly six years in Cheltenham and Abington townships has been sentenced to 10 to 20 years in state prison, Glenside Local reported Thursday, Oct. 8, citing The Mercury.
Maurice Champen, 38, of the 300 block of South 5th Street in Darby, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court in July to rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault of a child and endangering the welfare of children. The abuse happened between September 2019 and July 2025.
How The Case Came To Light
The investigation began in September 2025, when the two girls told police that Champen, a friend of their mother, had sexually abused them multiple times over several years, according to a criminal complaint filed by Abington Detective Cindy Pettinato and described by The Mercury and Times Herald.
Champen had access to the children at various times while their family lived in Montgomery County. The girls told detectives the abuse began around 2019, when they lived along Washington Lane in Cheltenham Township and were 8 and 11 years old. The last incidents happened in July 2025, after the family had moved to Old York Road in the Jenkintown section of Abington Township.
Champen was between 33 and 37 years old at the time, according to the Mercury.
The Plea Deal
When he pleaded guilty in July, Champen told Judge Wendy G. Rothstein that no one forced him to plead and that it was his decision alone. Under the plea agreement, the 10-to-20-year prison term is to be followed by eight years of probation, which would keep him under court supervision for 28 years.
As part of the agreement, prosecutors dismissed other charges, including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with minors.
Rothstein delayed the formal sentencing so Champen could be evaluated by the Pennsylvania Sexual Offenders Assessment Board, which decides whether an offender meets the criteria for being classified as a sexually violent predator. That label brings stricter conditions on parole or probation, including mandatory counseling. Published reports on the sentencing did not say whether he received that classification.
Champen must also register his address with state police for the rest of his life under Pennsylvania’s Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act, formerly known as Megan’s Law. He was ordered to have no contact with the victims or their family, and he had been held in the county jail without bail since his plea.
Assistant District Attorney Gabriella Eileen Glenning prosecuted the case. Defense attorney Geoffrey David Hood represented Champen.
Where To Get Help
Cases like this one often surface only when a child decides to tell someone. Pennsylvania’s ChildLine accepts reports of suspected child abuse 24 hours a day at 1-800-932-0313. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is available at 1-800-422-4453. In an emergency, call 911.
Sources: Glenside Local (Ryan Genova, Oct. 8); The Mercury / Times Herald (Carl Hessler Jr., July 1); UpperDarbyNow.
MORE PHILLY CRIME
- North Penn Gym Teacher Arrested On Alleged Sexual Offenses Involving Minors
- Two Philly Men Charged In 12 Armed Robberies Across Philly And Eastern Montco
Discover more from Philly Crime Update
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.