Buried Alive As Punishment, 6-Year-Old Tells PA State Police

WAYNESBURG, PA — A 6-year-old girl told Pennsylvania State Police her father punished her by burying her in the yard and was told she would be left there until she told the truth. The girl said she would emerge from the yard dirty and smelling like sewage, according to state police.

That and other instances of suspected child abuse led to the arrest of John Kraft, 50, of Waynesburg on multiple felony charges.

Police were notified of the alleged abuse by Greene County Children & Youth Services, who had interviewed the child.

The girl also related that Kraft had struck her with his hands, a belt, and his arm, which has a mental implant from surgery. She also said Kraft had choked her to the point of unconsciousness and hit her head of the floors and walls of their residence.

Interviews were conducted that corroborated the victim's statements, according to a police report. Additionally, state police received images showing the girl with severe bruising on her face, arms and buttocks.

Kraft has been charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, endangering the welfare of a child and recklessly endangering another person. He also faces single charges of false imprisonment of a minor and unlawful restraint of a minor.

Kraft currently is being held in the Greene County jail.