MCDONALD, Pa. — A Fort Cherry High School teacher accused of giving a student alcohol and having an inappropriate relationship with the student was charged Friday, police said.
David Cook, who has been a Spanish teacher at Fort Cherry High School since 2012 and the adviser for the junior high school’s student council and firefighters' club, was arrested Friday on sexual assault charges.
He declined to comment when questioned on his way to jail.
According to the criminal complaint filed against Cook, the alleged crimes occurred on Nov. 13 during a party at a home on Station Street in McDonald Borough.
“Cook arrived at the residence intoxicated and was let in through a basement door. Cook furnished alcohol to the victim, and both were intoxicated and a sexual incident occurred,” the complaint stated.
The alleged assault wasn't reported to police until February when a mandated reporter within the Fort Cherry School District heard what happened and contacted authorities. Police then interviewed the student who allegedly said "that Cook supplied him with alcoholic beverages, specifically vodka, several times ... and was directed by Cook to tell people, if questioned, that it was windshield washer fluid,” according to the complaint.
Channel 11 News learned Monday that Cook is an active member of the McDonald Volunteer Fire Department, where three junior firefighters are currently posted. A member said the junior firefighters report directly to the chief, so they have no contact with Cook. The member added that Cook will retain his membership.
Cook is also an emergency medical technician, and his state certification runs through 2018. Channel 11’s Courtney Brennan learned that EMTs are not required to get child abuse clearance checks, so despite the charges, his certification remains intact.
Cook remained in jail Monday in lieu of $50,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is set for next week.
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