Twenty staffers at a suburban Philadelphia charter school are facing charges related to the alleged physical abuse of students using painful, unapproved techniques to restrain and punish youths.
The Associated Press reports that the charges involve acts against 26 children in kindergarten through fifth grade at the Chester Community Charter School. Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer says those charged are accused of physically abusing the students or failing to report suspected abuse.
The investigation by Chester police began after two parents complained to school officials in January that their children were afraid to attend the school because of fears of being placed in “holds” by school staff.
The alleged abuse occurred in a program for children who required help with their emotions in dealing with school life, fellow students and other situations.
The police determined that nine of the defendants used techniques to restrain and punish children in the school’s emotional support program.
Stollsteimer said the techniques allegedly used included pinching students on pressure points near their necks, holding students in restraints, placing them in holds with their arms crossed in front of them and having a knee applied to their back until the student was brought to the ground.
Many of the abuses were captured on surveillance camera footage obtained and reviewed by investigators.
Those charged include several people employed by a private firm, Peak Performers Staffing. Stollsteimer said a company founder had asssured the school that its staff was properly trained, but when investigators sought records documenting staff training in utilizing restraints or crisis prevention techniques, they found that none of the company’s staff had completed the required training.
Nine people face multiple counts, including conspiracy, unlawful restraint, child endangerment and false imprisonment. The 11 others are charged with at least one count of failure to report child endangerment. All of the defendants are classified under state law as mandated reporters of suspected child abuse incidents.
