69-Year-Old Man Sentenced To Decades For Sex Assault Of Girls

January 17, 2023

Craig Hartman
Credit: Falls Township police

A Falls Township man convicted of sexually assaulting two 9-year-old girls repeatedly will spend most, if not all, of his remaining days inside a state prison.

Craig S. Hartman, 69, was sentenced Tuesday at the Justice Center by Bucks County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Finley to 23 to 46 years in state prison. He was found to be a sexually violent predator and will have to report himself as a sexual offender, according to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.

Hartman was convicted in September 2022 by a jury of one count of rape of a child and two counts each of aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault, indecent exposure, corruption of minors, and unlawful contact with a minor.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Kristin McElroy on Tuesday read victim impact statements prepared by one of the victims and the victim’s mother before the court.

The young victim said the crimes have caused fear and anxiety. She added she is happy the trial ended “and I do not have to worry about seeing him ever again.”

The girl’s mother heralded her daughter’s courage and called her the “bravest little girl.”

“She seriously is a very strong girl and is growing into the most inspirational strong young lady,” the mother said.

The mother also wrote to the court that the world will be safer without Hartman in the public.

Police arrested Hartman in early 2021 and filed charges after they discovered he sexually assaulted the two young girls multiple times in Falls and Middletown townships.

According to authorities, the girls said the sexual assault occurred at residences, a pool, and other locations.

One of the girls told investigators Hartman exposed himself to her and masturbated at a local park. He also reportedly encouraged the girls to expose themselves.