By George P. Hassett

The trial of a former Somerville cop accused of raping a 23-month-old girl begins this week.

Keith Winfield will go on trial for rape of a child with force, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and assault and battery with dangerous bodily injury. Winfield became a Somerville police officer in 2000 but was placed on administrative leave from the job in October 2005 when city officials learned he was being investigated for rape of a child. When he was indicted for the crime on August 1, 2006 he agreed to resign. A City Hall source said if he had not resigned Acting Police Chief Robert R. Bradley and Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone were prepared to terminate him.

Authorities allege Winfield, of Melrose, assaulted the 23 month-old victim with a hot object, causing serious burns, which developed over the next 24 to 36 hours. The girl’s mother brought her to a doctor the following day. The doctor referred the girl to a Boston hospital, and police were contacted after doctors there suspected the girl had been sexually and physically abused, according to authorities. Winfield’s indictment came nine months after the incident first occurred. He has pled not guilty.

Curtatone said regardless of what happens at the trial Winfield will not get his job back. “He’s an ex-police officer now. He is no longer employed by the City of Somerville and whatever happens at his criminal trial will not affect that,” he said.

Middlesex District Attorney spokeswoman Meredith Lerner said a jury was being selected Tuesday opening statements are expected to begin Wednesday or Thursday.