Tuscarawas County pair indicted for child sex crimes
David Harper and Elsie Bihlman (TCSO)
NEW PHILADELPHIA – A 46-year-old Bolivar man and a 37-year-old New Philadelphia woman are in jail as co-defendants in a grand jury indictment involving the trafficking, prostitution and rape of a 13-year-old.
David Harper faces seven felony counts, including rape.
Elsie Bihlman faces six felony counts, including trafficking in persons, compelling prostitution, endangering children and complicity in Harper’s alleged offenses.
Harper and Bihlman pleaded not guilty at arraignments on Wednesday. Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court Judge Ryan Styer set their bonds at $200,000. Telephone pre-trials are scheduled for April 28.