WARREN A Trumbull County jury is to resume deliberations for a second day on Friday in the trial of 75-year-old Dan McFadden, who is accused of sexually abusing a child in Niles. The decision follows several days of testimony, including emotional statements from the alleged victim, who described multiple instances of abuse over several years.

Prosecutors allege the abuse began in 2017 when the child was five years old and continued into this year. During the trial, the child testified that McFadden would wake them with a flashlight, whisper for them to go downstairs, and make them remove their clothes. The child said McFadden would often unplug a camera or turn it away from the living room, where the incidents reportedly took place.

The child told the court the abuse generally happened when their mother was at work and their father was asleep. When asked why the abuse was not resisted, the child cited fear of how McFadden might react. It was not until the age of 10 that the child said they understood McFadden’s actions were wrong.

Evidence presented to the jury included text messages between the child and a close friend that detailed the abuse and expressed thoughts of self-harm. A school resource officer also testified, explaining that the case first came to light after the child and the friend confided in him.

McFadden is facing 28 total charges, including 17 counts of rape and other serious sex crimes. The defense has consistently denied the claims, stating that the accusations are false.