LEECHBURG, Pa. — An Armstrong County child protection agency has cleared Leechburg Area School District administrators and one teacher of any wrongdoing related to reporting accusations that a substitute teacher inappropriately touched female students, Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLIVE reported.
The Armstrong County Children, Youth and Family Services conducted an investigation and determined that allegations that administrators failed to report the claims were unfounded, according to TribLIVE. However, Armstrong County District Attorney Scott Andreassi said that determination will not impact an ongoing criminal investigation.
The criminal investigation alleges that district employees knew about the alleged child abuse months before it was reported to ChildLine, Pennsylvania’s child abuse hotline.
At least 10 girls came forward to report abuse as early as March to teachers and the principal, according to a search warrant obtained by Channel 11 News in June. Police said they didn’t learn of the girls’ reports or the allegations until May.
Multiple staff members in the school district, including high school Principal Matthew Kruluts and Assistant Principal Michelle Ferretti, were placed on administrative leave in June.
No charges have been filed, including against the substitute teacher.
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