Father Charged In Baby's Death Was Youth Football Coach In Montco

LOWER PROVIDENCE, PA — The Montgomery County father who police said raped and assaulted his 10-month-old daughter before she died has deep ties to the local community.

Austin Stevens, 29, was an assistant coach with the Lower Providence Warriors youth football league, officials said. It's unclear how long he served in this capacity. As of Thursday afternoon, the league has not responded to Patch requests for further information.

Stevens' daughter, Zara Scruggs, died Oct. 3 at Stevens' Germantown Pike home in Lower Providence after suffering sexual trauma and blunt force trauma to the head. Police said that Stevens performed Google searches for an hour after she stopped breathing before deciding to call 911.

A former volunteer with the league, who asked not to be identified amid the ongoing investigation, said that all potential coaches and volunteers go through background screenings before the start of every season. That included Stevens.

>>Mom Speaks After Montco Baby's Death: 'I Really Have No Words'

Stevens does have one arrest on his record. In 2014, he was arrested and charged with harassment in Norristown, court documents show. Details of the case are unclear, but he was not convicted.

The former volunteer added that the league is cooperating with authorities on the investigation.

Beyond working with local children, Stevens' social media profiles indicate he was involved in the construction and real estate development business.

According to his Facebook page, Stevens graduated from Plymouth-Meeting Whitemarsh High School before attending Lackawanna College.

Zara's mother urged the public to stop blaming friends and family of Stevens for what happened.

"Please do not attack his family or his friends," she said in a public Facebook post on Wednesday responded to by hundreds. "He fooled us all I promise you from the bottom of my heart please please stop please."

Stevens is being represented by a public defender. Patch has reached out to the public defender's office for comment on the case.

A memorial and balloon release in honor of Zara's life will be held on Friday, Oct. 9 in Norristown, at the corner of Arch and Spruce streets.

A GoFundMe in honor of Zara, which aims to support funeral expenses and create a foundation in her name, has raised more than $38,000 as of Thursday afternoon. To learn more and donate, see here.