BERNE -- Sheriff's deputies have arrested a 23-year-old New Scotland man after what authorities said was the brutal sexual assault and attempted murder of a 10-year-old girl he was supposed to be baby-sitting.

Adam M. Croote of 383 Rock Hill Road, a Level 2 sex offender for a previous forcible sexual contact conviction in Massachusetts, was arrested Monday, the same day of the alleged incident.

Undersheriff Craig Apple said the child's family was in a pinch for a baby sitter when Croote said he could watch the girl for a few minutes. Croote previously knew the family, Apple said, but had not watched the girl before.

Croote got the girl off the bus about 3:30 p.m. and took her inside her home, where they began to set up a video game system. The girl went into the kitchen to get a snack, and when she returned, Croote was naked and masturbating, the undersheriff said.

He forced himself on the girl, Apple said, and when she screamed, he choked her. He also tried to strangle and snap her neck twice, Apple said, before getting up and running away from the home.

At that point, Apple said, the girl's father called to check on her and she told him she had been hurt. The girl's mother called police, and Croote was arrested by State Police.

Apple said the entire incident lasted no longer than 15 or 20 minutes, and the girl was treated and released from Albany Medical Center Hospital.

Croote, who is unemployed, was charged with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree rape, first-degree criminal sexual act, first-degree sexual abuse, forcible touching and criminal obstruction of breathing.

He was arraigned in Berne Town Court and was sent to the Albany County jail with no bail. Reports show Croote has been in trouble before.

Massachusetts police arrested Croote in 2005 on charges that he sexually assaulted a female driver who was taking him to the Lake Grove School, a residential school for sexually abusive youths in Wendell, where he was a student at the age of 17, according to reports.

In that case, Croote was charged with open and gross lewdness, indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

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Reach Dayelin Roman at 454-5350 or droman@timesunion.com.