A Marion County jury has found a man guilty of raping his 7-year-old daughter. Thomas Chafin, 61 of Marion, was convicted by a jury who deliberated less than an hour before returning a verdict.
Marion County Prosecuting Attorney Ray Grogan says Chafin faces a potential sentence of life without parole.
“Prosecuting crimes against children remains a top priority for this office. In this case, the fact that the offender is the child’s father, is an extreme example of a child at risk,” Grogan said. “We will ask for the maximum sentence” he said.
Chafin was accused by his 7-year-old daughter during an incident in August 2021. The child was visiting her father who is separated from the child’s mother.
The child told her mother, a nurse at the Hardin Memorial Hospital, and a Social Worker at the Child Advocacy Center of Nationwide Children’s Hospital details about the incident. The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) completed a report which was presented to the jury showing abrasions along the child’s thigh, corroborating the child’s statement that her dad scratched her during the incident.
A BCI Forensic Scientist testified that evidence of a male’s touching was present in the child’s privates.
The jury also saw the child in a video interview with the Forensic Examiner in which she also disclosed the rape.
Assistant Prosecutors Justin M. Frey John Scott Allison Kesler Charles Hall William J. Owen, First Assistant Prosecutor Office Manager Jaime Davis Victim Advocate Deana Moneysmith Investigations Jeff Shenefield, 134 E. CENTER ST. MARION, OHIO 43302 (740) 223-4290 (740) 223-4299 FAX
On Tuesday, the jury heard the testimony of BCI Polygraphist Steven Stechschulte who testified Chafin lied when he denied the rape and touching the child inappropriately during a polygraph examination.
Chafin faces a potential sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
“I want to thank Bill Owen and John Scott for their incredible work trying this case to the jury. I also want to thank the Marion Police Department, the Hardin Memorial Hospital, the Children’s Advocacy Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Attorney General Dave Yost’s Office – BCI for their incredible work on this case,” said Grogan.
Chafin will be sentenced by Judge Matthew P. Frericks at a later date.
Thomas Chafin, 61 of Marion