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New Castle man to stand trial in babysitting ruse rape

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A western Pennsylvania man has been ordered to stand trial on charges he duct-taped and raped a 15-year-old girl he lured to his home with the promise of a babysitting job.

Fifty-two-year-old Todd Vocature, of South New Castle, has been ordered to stand trial after police in Shenango Township testified at a preliminary hearing Thursday.

Vocature allegedly raped the girl Aug. 31 then eluded authorities until federal marshals caught up with him two weeks later after the suicidal suspect checked into a mental health facility in Massillon, Ohio.

Police say Vocature also told his victim that he wanted to have sex with her before killing himself.

Vocature has pleaded not guilty.

He's considered a "lifetime offender" under the state's Megan's Law because of a 2003 aggravated indecent assault conviction.