NORTH CENTRE TOWNSHIP — A 7-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a 29-year-old man in 2012, according to court documents.

Brian Thomas Metheny, now 35, of South Second Street, Lehighton, allegedly tied the girl down and sexually assaulted her, police say.

The victim’s mother found out about the incident in January and contacted Briar Creek Township Police.

The mother viewed a message her daughter sent to another juvenile detailing the incident.

The mother told police Metheny stayed with her family in August 2012 and again in November 2012 because he needed a place to go following the death of his girlfriend.

On Feb. 20, the girl was interviewed by a forensic investigator from Janet Weis Children’s Hospital.

The girl, now 13, told the investigator she and her brother came home from school one day and her parents were not home yet. She said she went up to her bedroom and someone poked her on the shoulder.

Metheny then allegedly picked the girl up, threw her on the bed, took off his clothes and attempted to have sex with her, charges state.

The victim said she remembered Metheny tying her to the bed, but did not recall what he used to do so.

She also told the investigator Metheny “got up in her face” and attempted to force her to perform oral sex.

Metheny is charged with sexual assault, deviate sexual intercourse with a child, aggravated assault and false imprisonment of a minor.

He is awaiting a preliminary hearing.