Dover man charged with assault on 9-year-old girl

Christopher Herschlein (Dover Police photo)

DOVER - A Dover man has been charged with felony assault involving a 9-year-old girl.

Police arrested Christopher Herschlein, 34, of 12 Cranbrook Lane, on Wednesday on a charge of second-degree assault, a Class B felony that can draw a seven year prison term.

According to the arrest complaint, Herschlein stated that he "knowingly caused bodily injury" by striking and bruising the girl - who is known to him - at his residence on Dec. 21.

The Dover Police Department began investigation the following day after being informed of the child's injuries by staff from the Division of Children Youth and Families, who had been informed by staff at the child's school.

Herschlein was arrested without incident around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Dover Police Department.

He was released on personal recognizance bail that includes the condition he not be in the child's presence and is scheduled to be arraigned in Strafford County Superior Court next month.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing. As the victim is a juvenile, information released will be limited. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Dover Police Department at 603-742-4646 or the Dover Crimeline at 603-749-6000. The Dover Crimeline can also be contacted via www.dovernhcrimeline.org