Elk Co. sex offender accused of physically, sexually abusing infant enters plea

Elk County, PA (WJAC) — Elk County District Attorney Beau Grove confirmed to 6 News that an area sex offender entered a guilty plea this week to charges related to the physical and sexual abuse of an infant girl.

Officials say Andrew Kowalski appeared in court Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to one felony county of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child.

Kowalski was arrested and charged last October following an investigation into the alleged abuse of a 10-month-old girl.

Investigators say the alleged abuse caused "near fatal" injuries to the child, including a brain bleed.

Online court records show that Kowalski was out on parole, at the time of the alleged abuse, for a previous sexual assault conviction from 2013.

Officials say Kowalski faces 20 years to life in prison following the plea deal.

The DA says that he must also complete a sex offender assessment, prior to sentencing, to determine if he is a sexually violent predator.

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