Chesco officer accused in sex assaults is jailed

A suspended Kennett Square police officer accused in the sexual assaults of three girls was taken to Chester County Prison after failing to post $2 million cash bail Tuesday.

Jose Manuel Santiago, 54, was arrested Thursday by New Castle County police at his home in Newark, Del. He waived extradition and was arraigned on more than 500 counts of sex offenses, including rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and endangering the welfare of children, court records said.

The alleged victims were all younger than 14 when the abuse began, court records said. The assaults, usually at Santiago's previous home in Toughkenamon, occurred from 1992 through 2000 for periods ranging from two to seven years, prosecutors said. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 14. - Kathleen Brady Shea