Henry Caparelli, 68, a former Emergency Operations Center manager for both the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, has been arrested and charged after allegations that he sexually assaulted a child in his care. Court filings show Caparelli was arraigned on Monday, released on unsecured bail, and is scheduled to appear for a hearing on March 18.
Allegations and Charges
According to court documents reported by WPXI, Caparelli faces multiple counts of aggravated indecent assault, one count of unlawful contact with a minor, two counts of indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old, one count of endangering the welfare of children, and two counts of corruption of minors.
The criminal complaint states the child wrote down allegations in the Notes app on her phone. A parent later found those entries, which led to a report to the police. Investigators then interviewed the child at UPMC Children’s Hospital Child Advocacy Center in September, according to the filings.
Public-Service Background
Public records and court filings indicate that Caparelli spent nearly two decades working within the city’s emergency-operations system before moving into a role with Allegheny County’s Emergency Operations Center. City of Pittsburgh documents from 2012 list “Hank Caparelli” among Allegheny County Emergency Operations personnel, reflecting a long tenure in local emergency-management work. The records outline his ties to municipal emergency response but provide limited detail about his more recent duties.
Legal Status and Next Steps
The criminal complaint and arrest paperwork set out the list of charges and the alleged conduct, and court filings confirm that Caparelli was taken into custody and arraigned on Monday, as reported by WPXI. He was released on unsecured bail and is due back in court on March 18, 2026. Prosecutors have not yet publicly set a trial date, and the case remains under investigation.
Community Impact and Resources
Cases that involve alleged abuse by caregivers often ripple well beyond the courtroom, with local advocates noting that such charges can spur more people to reach out for help. WTAE has documented spikes in calls to victim-services hotlines after previous high-profile prosecutions and has cited the Center for Victims on how public disclosures can prompt others to come forward.
For those seeking support, the Center for Victims lists a 24-hour crisis line at 1-866-644-2882 on its contact page, and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office maintains a programs and hotlines page that offers additional resources and reporting information…