This is a story about indecent assault. It contains graphic details that may be upsetting to some readers. Discretion is advised.
Bensalem Township Police arrested a 40-year-old man last week for the alleged indecent assault of a child.
Lawrence Howell of Bensalem is accused of touching the private areas of a 12-year-old girl that is familiar with him.
According to the probable cause, on Jan. 3rd, 2026, Bensalem Police responded to a township residence for a sexual assault report of a 12-year-old (identified as CC-1 in court records.) The child’s mother told police that CC-1 told her she had been touched by Howell on Dec. 23rd, 2025 at a Bensalem residence.
The victim’s legal guardian said CC-1 told her that Howell had placed a cap over her head and face, made her lay down on a bed, removed her pants and underwear and used his fingers to penetrate her, investigators said in court filings.
On January 15th, 2026, a forensic interview was held with CC-1 at the Bucks County Child Advocacy Center, investigators said.
During the interview, the victim repeated the circumstances of the indecent assault that occurred on Dec 23 and provided additional details. Howell, according to the probable cause, inspected her private area, rubbed that area with his thumb and then apologized.
On January 15th, 2026, detectives spoke with Howell, 44, of Bensalem. The suspect told detectives he had made a poor choice and only looked at her vagina, police said.
On February 16th, 2026, Bensalem authorities received a second Childline report for CC-1.
According to the report details, CC-1 was strangled until she passed out by Howell when he was allegedly disciplining the victim. The report also alleges that Howell struck the victim in the head with a frozen water bottle causing a scar.
CC-1 said that on a separate occasion between 2023 and 2025 the suspect placed a belt around her neck which caused her to pass out.
In a second forensic interview the child victim repeated the details of the child abuse report which alleges Howell used a belt to choke the victim; slapped and punched her, and threw a frozen water bottle at her that struck her causing a laceration. These abuse incidents occurred between 2023 and 2025, police said in court records.
Howell was arraigned on March 19 by Magisterial District Judge Michael W. Gallagher on felony counts of aggravated indecent assault of a child, corruption of minors, strangulation and related offenses.
Gallagher set bail at 10 percent of $2 million. Howell, unable to post, was remanded to the custody of Bucks County Correctional Facility. His preliminary hearing is set for April 2. He is currently represented by Thomas N. Logan, Esq., according to online court records.
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