A young girl who survived days of physical abuse that left her battered and nearly dead.
A dedicated group of police officers who rescued her. And a child’s wish for her bicycle.
Those three elements added up to a poignant story told at the annual Chester County District Attorney’s Office awards ceremony held on June 30 at the county Justice Center.
District Attorney Deb Ryan opened the ceremony quoting Fred Rogers, the soft-spoken, cardigan-wearing TV celebrity for many young children a generation or two ago.
She said Mister Rogers once recounted sage advice given to him by his mother for times of crisis or difficulty: “Always look for the helpers. There is always someone who is trying to help.”
“Mister Rogers took those words to heart and later said, ‘I came to see that the world is full of doctors, nurses, police and firemen, volunteers, neighbors, and friends who are ready to jump in to help when things go wrong,’” Ryan told those assembled for the event.
Ryan continued: “In difficult times like we are experiencing now, with what can appear to be relentless anger and divisiveness, it provides great solace and comfort to know that there is a multitude of good people out there who care about making this world a better place.”
The awards are given to members of the DA’s office and local police, but notice is also extended through commendations to other groups or individuals who aid the public in general through their acts of bravery, responsibility or kindness.
And that is where the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department comes in.
The story that led to the department’s commendation was told by Andrea Cardamone, the DA’s chief of staff and a longtime prosecutor.
A 9-year-old girl was tortured and almost beaten to death by her mother’s 34-year-old boyfriend a few days before Thanksgiving in 2020.
Westtown-East Goshen officers found the unconscious and unresponsive girl on the bathroom floor of her home in a neighborhood off Route 202 south of West Chester. The girl had extensive bruising all over her body, and she was taken to the hospital, clinging to life.
The investigation revealed that she had suffered prolonged beatings, abuse, and neglect over a period of weeks, beginning when her mother began living with a West Chester man, Dimitrios Moscharis.
The boyfriend was charged with attempted homicide, assault of a child, strangulation, false imprisonment and related offenses.
A few days later, the child’s mother, Julianne Lewis, who investigators learned had participated in the abuse, neglect and torture, was also charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping of a minor, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Moscharis, 34, died of a heart attack in Chester County Prison in June 2021. Lewis pleaded guilty to charges and is awaiting sentencing.
According to Cardamone, the Westtown-East Goshen detectives and officers spent countless hours on the case, collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing medical records all so that they could get justice for the girl.
“More importantly, through it all, they also went above and beyond to look out for this young victim, visiting her at the hospital, ensuring that she and the other kids at the hospital had gifts for Christmas and her birthday,” she said.
But there was more than that, Cardamone said.
“When the girl, who had been in a coma, eventually regained consciousness many months later and asked for her bicycle, they tracked down her bicycle, had it fixed and delivered it to her.
“These officers not only brought this victim justice but through their concern and kindness they showed her the good in this world that up to that point she might not have seen,” she said.
“Happily, the little girl has made an almost full recovery. She is walking and talking again, and is now safe with a loving family.”
The awards presented included: Prosecutor of the Year to Deputy District Attorney Emily Provencher; Chester County Detective of the Year to Detective Maurice Nadachowski; Law Enforcement Officer of the Year to North Coventry Detective Timothy Prouty; and DA Administrative Professional of the Year to Regina Stewart.
Commendations went to the West Fallowfield Police Department for their efforts in the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of the ambush homicide of Samuel Algarin in September 2018; Evvie Harrison, a local mother, who helped protect a 13-year-old from a child predator in South Coventry Township in July 2020; and Stacey Tshudy, a local convenience store clerk, for her life-saving assistance to an injured Coatesville police officer in September 2021.
“These awards are about honoring people for their acts of bravery, courage, and dedication to others,” Ryan said. “I am very proud to be part of a team of helpers; it gives special meaning and purpose to our lives.”
To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544.
