A Venango Township man was charged Wednesday, Jan. 31, with allegedly sexually assaulting a 5-year-old girl multiple times.

Cody Weckerly, 27, of Venango Township, is accused of having indecent contact with the girl six to eight times over several months. Police said all the alleged offenses happened in Washington Township.

Weckerly is charged with a total of 12 felony counts: six of indecent assault on a person less than 13 years of age and six counts of corruption of minors. His arraignment was scheduled for Jan. 31.

Police received a ChildLine referral in July, and the state police brought the child to the Butler County Children’s Advocacy Center for an interview, according to charging documents. The girl detailed multiple instances of sexual assault by Weckerly.

The girl told police assaults began when she was 4 and continued for several months, ending in January 2022.

Weckerly’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 13 in front of District Judge Lewis Stoughton.