Couple charged with raping preschooler in their Lancaster County home

A Lancaster County mother and father are accused of raping a child more than a decade ago, starting when she was 4, police said in court documents.

John Dehart, 56, of Camano Island, Washington, and Sarah Miller, 34, of Nanticoke, Luzerne County, undressed and forced the child to engage in sexual acts with Miller, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by East Hempfield Township Police. The child was related to the couple.

The child told police the abuse occurred between 2011 and 2013, when she was 4 to 6 years old. According to court documents, the abuse stopped when the child was separated from Dehart and Miller.

According to court documents, the child was abused and also forced to shower with Miller. While showering, Miller “consistently stated that what was happening in the shower was normal and there was nothing to be afraid of,” the affidavit states.

When police asked the child who Miller was to them, they replied, “Not really a great person,” the affidavit states.

East Hempfield police said the abuse was reported to their department in December 2023.

Dehart was taken into custody in Philadelphia on April 18 on charges of rape of a child and related offenses. He remains in the Lancaster County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 21.

Miller is also charged with child rape and was still at large on Wednesday. Police said she may be known as “Sara Souder.”

Anyone with information about Miller’s whereabouts can call East Hempfield police. Tyler Clisham at 717-898-3103 or submit a tip through CrimeWatch.

Statistics show that most perpetrators are people the child or family knows. According to the Rape, Assault, and Incest National Network called RAINN, up to 93 percent of victims under the age of 18 know the perpetrator.