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Suspended state Trooper Steven Blain is charged with aggravated assault on a child.

(Provided photo)

A state trooper is on unpaid suspension after being accused of dragging his 5-year-old daughter around by her hair.



Cpl. Adam Reed, a state police spokesman, confirmed Friday that Trooper Steven M. Blain, 49, was taken off duty after Lower Paxton Township police filed charges of aggravated assault on a child and child endangerment against him this week.



Blain came under investigation when his wife, Angela, called police, Cpl. Todd D. Witmer said in arrest papers filed with District Judge Joseph Lindsey. Blain's wife said he had become verbally and physically abusive to her and their child, Witmer said.



"Angela stated that he would often yell and scream at (the girl) when he would become frustrated with her," Witmer wrote. "She stated he would pull her hair to gain her attention and compliance. She stated that he cited it was the only way he could get her to listen to him."



Witmer said Angela Blain reported seeing her husband dragging the girl up some stairs by her hair earlier this year. Later, she saw rug burns on the child's back, the officer said.



He said Angela Blain also gave him photos she took in April 2015 that she said showed a large bruise on the child's right thigh and abrasions on her back. She said the girl told her "that her father had been 'mean' to her and had thrown her into her bedroom, resulting in her landing into her bed," Witmer reported. "Angela noted the frame of the bed is metal."



Defense attorney Brian Perry declined comment when contacted about the case Thursday. Steven Blain is free on $25,000 unsecured bail pending a preliminary hearing.