Hazing case goes to juvenile court

Juvenile referrals have been filed in a hazing incident in December at Lehighton Area Middle School.

Borough police Chief Brian Biechy Thursday morning released a statement from the Lehighton Police Department.

“Lehighton Borough Police Department, in cooperation with the Carbon County District Attorney’s Office through a thorough investigation, has filed juvenile referrals in reference to the hazing incident at the Lehighton middle school.”

District Attorney Michael Greek said a referral for a juvenile is akin to a criminal complaint for an adult, where police outline what criminal acts they allege were committed.

“From there it goes to the juvenile court office,” Greek said, “and ultimately to the point of an adjudication hearing unless a stipulation would otherwise be reached.”

Neither official said how many students are being referred.

Social media reports have described the incident as a sexual assault involving a broomstick, but neither district officials nor police have gone into detail on the matter.

After an online petition was started requesting the Carbon County District’s Attorney investigate the alleged incident, Greek made it clear through Lehighton Area School District solicitor Eric Filer, that the borough police department was investigating. He said the district attorney’s office would collaborate with them when the investigation was complete.

“Because the incident involves minors, however, he said the information would be sealed and never publicly available,” Filer said of his conversation with Greek. Lehighton Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver said in a statement last month that once the investigation was complete, the amount of information able to be shared publicly would likely be minimal.

“Again, policies regarding matters of student conduct and discipline protect the privacy of students’ records, and federal law limits when details related to student conduct investigations may be disclosed or shared with individuals,” he said at that time. “The district will continue to gather and/or investigate any information that comes forward.”

Jarrad Hedes contributed to this report.