However, recent allegations have pulled back the curtain on a disturbing reality. Dicer now faces grave charges, including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child and sexual extortion. Perhaps most chilling is the police’s brief that the current charges represent only the tip of the iceberg, with authorities actively searching for more potential victims.

For parents, this news isn’t just a headline but a visceral nightmare. It raises the most difficult questions a parent can ask: “How could this happen here? Was my child safe? And if the unthinkable occurred, what can I do now?”

At Logue Law Group, we’re aiming to break down the specifics of this case while providing a roadmap for parents seeking legal help. With the right Pittsburgh sex abuse attorney, children who have suffered can find protection and justice.

The Breach of Trust: The Case Against Sean Dicer

According to criminal complaints, the investigation into Dicer began after a 16-year-old boy made a report to Pennsylvania’s ChildLine. The allegations detail a harrowing breach of trust, of abuse that reportedly occurred when the victims were just 11 and 12 years old.

One of the most tactical elements of the case involves sexual extortion. Police allege that Dicer used his position of power and digital platforms like Cash App to pay $6000 to silence a victim. This highlights a common pattern in child predatory behavior—using shame, money, or authority to ensure the child feels complicit or too afraid to speak out.

Because Dicer operated a private photography business, he had unfettered access to children across various sports and school events. This is why the Allegheny County Police are urging any families who had contact with him to remain vigilant.

Recognizing the Signs of Grooming and Abuse

For the families in Allegheny County who have been advised to look for signs of abuse, it might be easier said than done. When a trusted community member is accused of such crimes, parents often feel a sense of guilt for not seeing the warnings. It’s vital to remember that predators are often masters of manipulation—not just of children, but of the adults around them as well.

Grooming behaviors can include:

• Special favors: A teacher or coach giving a child gifts, extra attention, or money (as seen in the Dicer allegations).
• Boundary pushing: Attempting to take a child away from the group or inviting them to a private residence.
• Secrecy: Encouraging the child to have “our little secret” or using private messaging apps to communicate outside of official channels.

If your child has suddenly become withdrawn, shows anxiety around a specific person, or exhibits age-inappropriate sexual knowledge, it’s time to have a gentle, open conversation.

Seeking Justice: Your Legal Rights in Pennsylvania

If you suspect your child was a victim of any predator, the road to justice involves two distinct paths:

• Criminal Prosecution

The criminal justice system focuses on punishing the perpetrator. Crimes against children are pursued aggressively in Pennsylvania. Reporting to ChildLine (1-800-932-0313) or local law enforcement is the first step. This triggers an investigation that can lead to arrests and jail time, ensuring the predator can no longer harm others in the community.

• Civil Litigation

While the criminal case focuses on the individual, a civil lawsuit focuses on the institutions that allowed the abuse to happen.

In this scenario, your Pittsburgh injury lawyer will urge you to pursue schools, sports leagues, or organizations that may have been negligent. Did they fail to conduct proper background checks? Did they ignore previous complaints? A civil case allows parents to seek compensation for the child’s therapy, medical bills, and emotional distress. More importantly, it forces these organizations to change their policies so this never happens again.

Pennsylvania’s Statute of Limitations

Before you seek justice with the help of a Pittsburgh sex abuse attorney, it’s important to note certain significant improvements.

Pennsylvania has undergone considerable changes regarding the Statute of Limitations for child sex abuse. Victims now have much longer to come forward—often well into adulthood—to seek civil damages. Even if the abuse happened years ago, legal avenues are still open.

The Importance of a Victim-Centered Approach

The trauma of abuse doesn’t disappear with an arrest. Healing requires a village. We’re fortunate to have Children’s Advocacy Centers in Pennsylvania that provide “forensic interviews.” These are conducted by professionals trained to talk to children in a way that’s non-traumatizing while still gathering the evidence needed for court.

As a parent, your primary role is to be a safe harbor. Listen without judgment, reassure your child that it wasn’t their fault, and seek professional counseling immediately. Only when you’re ready, reach out to the best Pittsburgh sex abuse attorney.

How to Take the First Step for Justice

No parent should have to navigate the aftermath of child abuse alone. The legal system is complex, and the emotional toll is heavy. If you believe your child was harmed by Sean Dicer during his time at Highlands School District or through his photography business, now is the time to act. Even if you’re dealing with a similar situation elsewhere in the state, here’s what you can do today:

• Report to authorities: Contact the Allegheny County Police tip line at 833-ALL-TIPS if you have information regarding the Dicer case.
• Consult with an attorney: Seeking a Pittsburgh injury lawyer who specializes in child abuse cases is crucial. They can help you understand if the school district or other entities failed in their “duty of care” to protect your child.
• Prioritize mental health: Reach out to organizations like PA ARD or local crisis centers to find therapists who specialize in childhood trauma.

Justice isn’t just about a prison sentence but about reclaiming your child’s future and holding every responsible party accountable. Your voice is the most powerful tool in the fight to keep Pennsylvania’s children safe.

If you need guidance on the legal steps, reach out to us at 412-387-6901. Don’t hesitate to seek confidential consultation with our Pittsburgh injury lawyers, who are dedicated to protecting victims of abuse.

Additional child rape charges were filed last week by state police against Matthew S. Perry, age 40, of 197 Hartley Road, after the second girl made charges against him. The girl had come forward in June 2017, during an initial investigation into the first allegations conducted by troopers.

According to court documents, the girl told police of multiple incidents of rape and fondling when she was 10 years old, performed by Perry.

On Friday, police charged Perry with felony involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, felony rape of a child, felony child endangerment, felony aggravated indecent assault of a child, felony corruption of minors, and misdemeanor indecent assault of a child.

The new charges come almost 2 years after Perry was accused by state police of repeatedly raping an 11-year-old girl. Originally, Perry was charged in June 2017. The girl who accused him told investigators that the assaults happened between the summer of 2016 and March 2017. She was assaulted several times, including once in a wooded area in Perry’s parked vehicle. He was arrested by US marshals, who found him hiding in Morgantown, West Virginia near a mosque, two months later.

Perry was deemed incompetent to stand trial after his arrest. He was taken to Torrance State Hospital near Blairsville to receive treatment. Last September, Greene County Judge Lou Dayich signed an order that declared Perry competent to face those charges. The case was scheduled for trial earlier this year. Jury selection is tentatively scheduled for March 6. Those proceedings have been delayed many times already because of additional concerns that have been raised about Perry’s competency.

Cheyenna Perry, age 36 and wife of Matthew Perry, pled guilty to manufacturing child pornography on December 12. She had produced the pornography with one of the girls and then sent it to her husband while he was on the run from authorities for two months. She was sentenced to 3 1/2 to 7 years in the state prison and ordered to register as a sex offender for life. Her sentence was the result of a plea deal, which also requires her to testify against her husband at his trial.

Matthew Perry is in the Greene County jail, held without bond. His preliminary hearing on the new charges is scheduled for January 30 at 2 PM. He will stand before District Judge Lee Watson.

Offenses against children are always taken very seriously, especially when it involves sexual abuse. The penalties are harsh and leave a person with lifelong consequences. Jail time is possibly the least harsh consequence. If convicted, Perry will be required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law. He’ll also be faced with difficulty in finding future employment. No one wants to hire a rapist, especially not a child rapist.

I don’t know all the facts of this particular case, but I have experience with similar ones. There are strategies Mr. Perry’s attorney can use to defend him, things like examining the expertise of the person who conducted the forensic interview. The credibility of the witnesses can be called into question, especially given the ages of the girls involved and the timeline. The type of touches can also be called into question. Perhaps the girls took them as inappropriate when Perry did not intend for them to be so. The identification of Perry as the perpetrator can also be called into question, depending on the methods used to identify him.

Defending Mr. Perry won’t be easy, though, especially given the fact that he now faces allegations from two separate girls. And, of course, given the fact that the media has gotten wind of the story. I hope Mr. Perry chooses his attorney wisely.