Knoch principal charged with failing to report alleged sex abuse by son against 6-year-old

BUTLER, Pa. — The principal at Knoch Primary School has been charged after allegedly failing to report sexual abuse against a 6-year-old girl.

The alleged abuser is the principal’s son.

Pennsylvania State Police criminally charged Gregory Mandalas on Monday with persons required to report suspected child abuse after they say Mandalas willfully failed to report alleged sexual abuse that was directly disclosed to him. Because Mandalas is a mandated reporter through his employment as the principal at Knoch Primary, he’s required to report such incidents.

State Police in Butler listed the date and time of the incident as Aug. 8, 2022, and the victim as a 6-year-old girl.

According to the criminal complaint, Mandalas’ son, Matthew Mandalas, is accused of sexually assaulting the girl when he was 19.

“It’s important for them to report it while they’re at their professions, so while you’re doing your duties and also during your personal life, so once you become a mandated reporter, you’re never really off,” said Trooper Bertha Cazy of Pennsylvania State Police. “It’s there so we can keep the victims safe from the alleged actor and also keep victims safe.”

11 News spoke with residents who live right across from Knoch Primary School after learning charges were filed against the principal.

“I pay taxes to keep everybody safe and I ain’t paying taxes for somebody doing this stuff in the school district,” said Fred Peiffer.

Superintendent David Foley posted the following message on the school’s website:

Knoch Families,

The District learned this afternoon that criminal charges have been filed against Dr. Greg Mandalas, Principal of Knoch Primary School. Due to the serious nature of the charges, Dr. Mandalas has been placed on indefinite administrative leave. It is the District’s understanding that the charges and alleged conduct of Dr. Mandalas do not involve a Knoch School District student. This is a confidential personnel matter. Therefore, I am unable to provide specific details at this time. However, I will work with the solicitor’s office to provide as much information as legally permitted moving forward.

Respectfully, David Foley, Ed.D.Superintendent

Monday afternoon, Channel 11 went to Mandalas’ home in Butler for comment. No one answered the door.

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