A man posed as a 14-year-old and sexually abused two girls, according to Michigan State Police

TUSCOLA COUNTY, MI – Michigan State Police say a man about his age lied to stay at a teenager’s parents’ home in Cass City, where he then sexually assaulted a girl and her sister.

Police said Ethan R. Dekalita befriended a 14-year-old girl on Snapchat and decided to visit her for the day. He is said to have told the victim’s family that he was also 14 years old.

According to reports, at the end of the day when Dekalita visited the victim, she asked the girl’s parents if he could stay overnight due to a family emergency. The victim’s mother couldn’t reach Dekalita’s family and after a few days, the parents called 911 for help, saying something was wrong with Dekalita.

As police investigated further, they learned that Dekalita was actually 19 years old and allegedly persuaded the 14-year-old to let him visit and then stay. While Dekalita was at the victim’s house, he allegedly sexually assaulted the girl and her 12-year-old sister.

Dekalita was indicted on Sept. 11 and charged with three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, molestation of a child for indecent reasons and assault and battery.

The Michigan State Police recommends parents regularly monitor their children’s social media activity and talk to them about safe internet use.