2 Greensburg Salem School District employees accused of restraining 3 children

GREENSBURG, Pa. — The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office says two teachers from Nicely Elementary School face 21 charges each for how they reportedly used unauthorized and inappropriate restraint procedures on 3 students who were under their care.

The DA’s office says 34-year-old Brooke Stanko and 58-year-old Teri Kepchia are now charged with Endangering the Welfare of Children, Simple Assault, Failure to Report and False imprisonment of a minor. The DA’s office says the crimes happened between September 1st and October 26th this year.

Mike Ceidro of Mt. Pleasant said, “How did they ever make it into the teaching profession? What were they thinking at the time?”

Officials have yet to release specific details of what Stanko and Kepchia did, but the Greensburg/Salem School District Superintendent Kenneth Bissell sent out this letter to parents a week ago where he expressed his frustration and disappointment.

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Bissell says after the administration was made aware of the incident on October 27th, both teachers were removed from the classroom and the parents of the children impacted were immediately notified while Greensburg Police investigated.

Laura Shean of Greensburg said, “It brings fear. Concerns that individuals that are in charge of taking care of our kids and are doing things that are maybe not appropriate so it’s good to see that the school is taking action but it’s sad to know that it happened.”

Bissell said, “We are saddened that the actions and inactions within a classroom of children with the most significant support needs violated the safety needs of children and broke the trust for a loving, caring, and respectful environment.”

Shean continued, “I had a son that had special needs and that was definitely a concern of mine whenever I sent him to school his kindergarten year, I drove him to and from because he had a speech deficit. It’s a great fear of individuals who have kids who have disabilities and can’t speak for themselves and tell you what’s going on.”

We’re expecting to learn more details from the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office and The Greensburg-Salem School District - as they’re holding a joint news conference about these charges Friday morning. Channel 11 will be there and we’ll have full coverage.

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