Manheim Township High Officials Failed to Report Student’s Sexual Misconduct, Violating PA Law

Lancaster County School Faces Scrutiny Over Mishandling of Mandatory Reporting Requirements

A recent investigation has revealed that Manheim Township School District officials failed to fulfill their legal obligation under Pennsylvania’s mandatory reporting law when they did not report a sexual incident involving a student-athlete to ChildLine, the state’s child abuse hotline.

The incident, which occurred in fall 2022, involved a Manheim Township High School athlete who allegedly exposed himself to a teammate on school property. Although multiple school staff members were made aware of the misconduct, including the school resource officer, none reported the incident to ChildLine, as is required by law when child abuse is suspected.

Details of the Incident and District’s Inaction

According to an investigative report published by LNP | LancasterOnline, a teammate informed coaches that the athlete had exposed himself, prompting initial concern. The information was relayed to school administrators and the school police officer, yet the district chose to handle the issue internally through school discipline, without contacting authorities.

Pennsylvania law requires any school employee or official who suspects abuse to report the incident immediately to ChildLine. Failing to do so can result in criminal charges for mandated reporters and has legal implications for the district itself.

While the athlete in question did eventually face misdemeanor charges related to the incident, those charges did not materialize until months later, and only after a separate criminal investigation was launched by law enforcement—not by the school.

School District’s Response and Retaliation Claims

Manheim Township School District officials declined to comment in detail, citing student privacy laws, but released a brief statement acknowledging that the situation involved “a student disciplinary matter.” However, critics argue that by failing to contact ChildLine, district staff allowed a potential pattern of misconduct to go unaddressed and risked the safety of other students.

Adding to the controversy, a second student-athlete, who supported the initial victim’s claim, has alleged that he was removed from the team and retaliated against for speaking up. The student claims his removal was linked directly to his role in corroborating the abuse report.

This raises additional concerns about whether the school environment is fostering a culture of silence and intimidation, rather than transparency and accountability.

The Legal Importance of Mandatory Reporting

Under Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law, all school personnel—including administrators, coaches, and resource officers—are mandatory reporters. This means they are legally obligated to report any suspicion of child abuse, regardless of whether they believe it will result in criminal charges.

Failure to report can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the circumstances, and schools can be held civilly liable if students are harmed due to inaction.

The Manheim Township case is a stark reminder that educational institutions must take every allegation seriously and follow proper legal procedures to protect student welfare.

Legal Support for Student Victims of Abuse and Misconduct

At Survivors of Abuse PA, we represent victims and their families when school districts or officials fail to act on reports of abuse, harassment, or misconduct. If your child has been harmed by another student—or if your school failed to report abuse as required—you may have grounds for a civil lawsuit.

Attorney Ashley DiLiberto, Esq., is an experienced advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Pennsylvania schools. She understands how frustrating and traumatic it can be when trusted adults fail to protect children, and she works tirelessly to hold them accountable under the law.

We can help you explore legal options, secure appropriate compensation, and ensure that those responsible are not allowed to repeat their failures.

Contact Survivors of Abuse PA

If you or someone you know was impacted by the events at Manheim Township High School or any other school in Pennsylvania, don’t hesitate to seek legal guidance. Contact Ashley DiLiberto, Esq. at Survivors of Abuse PA today for a free, confidential consultation.

Source:

LancasterOnline