Family friend charged with molesting girl

The parents learned of the alleged assaults this month, after their daughter, now 13, repeatedly asked that Dean cut short his visit with the family this year, according to a police affidavit of probable cause. Dean had planned to visit the family's home after the Christmas Eve church service, according to the affidavit. He was arrested in the church parking lot.

The mother told police she had noticed that "over the last two years, when James has come to visit, [her daughter] didn't laugh at him and his jokes like she had before," according to police records.

The girl also had removed a photograph that included Dean from her bedroom wall, the affidavit said.

Dean is the brother of a close friend of the family, according to Risa Ferman, Montgomery County deputy district attorney.

Ferman said that bail was set at $500,000 because Dean is from out of state and because of the serious nature of the charges.

Mark Stroh's e-mail address is strohma@phillynews.com.