Mercer Co. man sentenced for raping girl who got pregnant

MERCER, Pa. (AP) — A 26-year-old western Pennsylvania man will spend six to 15 years in state prison for raping a 12-year-old girl last May who got pregnant.

Andrew William Bennefield, of Sandy Lake, was 25 when he had sex with the girl in a house where both were staying overnight.

Bennefield apologized and told the Mercer County judge who sentenced him Tuesday, “I’m not sure I deserve leniency.”

Bennefield claims he was drunk when he and the girl had sex. The girl was not forced, but could not legally consent because of her age.

Bennefield had pleaded guilty Feb. 11 to rape of a child. Assistant District Attorney Ryan Bonner says the girl had an abortion to end the pregnancy.

Bennefield must register with police as a sex offender when he gets out of prison.