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A Johnstown man was jailed Wednesday after he was accused of tattooing a 14-year-old girl in June without her parents’ consent.
City police said there are more underage victims of Travis Simms, 26, of Iolite Avenue.
Several adults also have come forward asking whether they should see a doctor after having been tattooed by Simms, said Julie Wagner, city police juvenile officer.
“We don’t know if the needles were clean,” Wagner said. “Anyone who’s gotten a tattoo needs to follow the advice of their family physician.”
Simms was arraigned by District Judge Leonard Grecek of Roxbury on charges of tattooing and body piercing a juvenile and corruption of minors.
He was sent to Cambria County Prison after falling to post 10 percent of $6,000 bond.
Police said Simms tattooed the 14-year-old Johnstown girl’s right thigh with three large stars and eight smaller stars.
“I just about fell over when I saw it,” the girl’s mother told a Tribune-Democrat reporter.
She said her daughter has been tested by their family doctor for hepatitis. So far, there is no evidence the girl was infected.
“Kids should understand the consequences,” the mother said.
There are no licensing requirements for tattoo parlors in Pennsylvania, said a Department of State spokesman.
However, it is illegal to tattoo a person younger than 18 without a parent’s approval.
Police allege the girl was tattooed by Simms at a home on Ash Street.
Authorities found photographs of Simms’ tattoos on his MySpace page, including pictures of the 14-year-old girl.
Police said they are contacting parents of three other juveniles to determine whether more charges will be filed.
Anyone who may have been tattooed by Simms should contact Johnstown police at 533-2080, authorities said.
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City man accused of tatooing girl, 14
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