Some charges dropped against Chestnut Ridge official accused of failing to report assaults
BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — A Chestnut Ridge school official accused of failing to properly report allegations of sexual assault involving a middle school student appeared in court Wednesday where some of his charges were withdrawn or dismissed.
Patrick Isgan, the Vice Principal of the Chestnut Ridge Middle School, was charged last month following an investigation into numerous complaints that that a 12-year-old male student had been repeatedly sexually assaulting other students on one of the district's buses.
According to the affidavit, troopers learned that the school had first been notified of the allegations in November but failed to properly report them to ChildLine.
Authorities say Isgan reportedly reviewed surveillance video from the bus and initially concluded that no inappropriate acts had occurred.
Investigators say in February, the school met with the 12-year-old student, as well as his parents, at which time the boy reportedly admitted to the allegations.
Troopers say the school then re-reviewed the surveillance footage and claimed that it appeared to show the student inappropriately touching a 6-year-old boy.
Investigators say school officials then suspended the 12-year-old student and removed him from school transportation.
Authorities say when troopers reviewed the surveillance footage, it appeared to show the 12-year-old student performing sex acts on the 6-year-old boy.
Troopers say in total, six students, some as young as 5 and 6 years old, reported allegations of sexual assault and harassment against the 12-year-old.
In late March, Isgan appeared in court where a judge agreed to reduce his bail from $1 million to $100,000.
During Wednesday's preliminary hearing, Judge Brian Baker agreed to dismiss or withdraw the following charges in the case.
- 1 felony (F3) count of endangering the welfare of children --- dismissed
- 4 misdemeanor (M1) counts of endangering the welfare of children ---- withdrawn
- 1 misdemeanor (M1) count of endangering the welfare of children--prevent/interfere with making report --- dismissed
- 1 felony (F3) count of failure to report --- dismissed
- 1 felony (F2) count of continued failure to report --- dismissed
Online court records show that Isgan still faces 51 misdemeanor (M1) counts of endangering the welfare of children, one felony (F3) count of endangering the welfare of children, one misdemeanor (M1) count of endangering the welfare of children--prevent/interfere with making report and one misdemeanor (M2) count of failure to report.
In court Wednesday, Isgan was surrounded by supporters.
Isgan's next court date has not yet been scheduled.
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