Investigation Launched Following Allegations that Penndale Teacher Groped Female Student

Keith Heffintrayer | North Penn Now•

Lansdale Borough Police and North Penn School District officials have confirmed they are investigating allegations that a teacher at Penndale Middle School groped a female student in early October.

The allegations publicly surfaced on Jan. 11 via an anonymous post on a private Facebook group for mothers of North Penn students. In the post, the anonymous mother alleges that a teacher at the school had groped her daughter while she was packing up for the day, at which point the girl broke free, ran to her school bus, and went home and notified her parents.

The mother said her daughter was very upset and crying, and they subsequently notified officials with North Penn School District and the Lansdale Borough Police Department.

The identity of the teacher is known to this news organization, however we cannot release the name as no criminal charges have been filed at the present time.

The initial post garnered hundreds of comments from other mothers in the district, with many making similar allegations or advising both students and staff at the school were aware the teacher had a reputation for similar conduct. Among the recurring allegations were accusations the teacher would use a fly swatter to hit female students on their backsides and drove to several students’ homes to leave candy bars in their mailboxes.

Within the same post, the anonymous mother claims she was told in December that charges would be filed, and the teacher would be taken into custody over winter break. She said she was later informed that the district attorney’s office "cannot move forward unless it can be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, and the detectives and [prosecutors] could not agree we could do this.”

Despite efforts to get some of the parents to come forward, North Penn Now was unable to get anyone to speak on the record — while granting public anonymity — regarding the allegations against the teacher. A corroborating source, though, provided information indicating that an investigation had been launched, which was verified by officials with Lansdale Police and the school district on Thursday afternoon.

"I can confirm that we are investigating the allegations,” said Lansdale Borough Police Chief Mike Trail. "I can’t provide any further details or comment as it is an open investigation.”

When reached for comment, a spokesperson for North Penn School District confirmed they are aware of the allegations and are fully cooperating with local law enforcement.

"As soon as the incident was reported to NPSD, the employee was placed on administrative leave,” said Christine Liberaski, Director of School and Community Engagement for North Penn School District.

When asked specific questions regarding allegations beyond the alleged early October incident, including whether there were prior reports or investigations involving this teacher, as well as the district policy on a teacher allegedly driving to students’ homes to drop off candy, Liberaski said she was unable to answer individual questions.

"As this matter involves an ongoing investigation, no further information can be shared at this time,” Liberaski said.

North Penn School Board President Tina Stoll also declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

In response to questions from this news organization seeking to determine the status of the any charges being filed, a spokesperson with the district attorney’s office declined to comment.

"We cannot comment on investigations unless they result in criminal charges,” said Kate Delano, Director of Communications with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.

North Penn Now's Tony Di Domizio contributed to this report.