DA's office: No charges to be filed against home for troubled children after sex abuse allegations

This browser does not support the video element.

ZELIENOPLE, Pa. — Criminal charges will not be brought against a Butler County residential treatment facility for troubled children and teens after accusations of children having sex with other children on the campus.

Glade Run Lutheran Services in Zelienople lost its operating license in October after state inspectors found evidence of the alleged sex acts.

FREE APPS | NOW | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

“We do not believe we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any of the employees of Glade Run knew this was occurring or that they neglected their duty of care. Furthermore, we have little to no evidence that any of the alleged sex acts were anything but consensual,” said Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger.

A woman said her son, who is in third grade, was a part of the alleged incidents, and she told Channel 11's Renee Kaminski that she is heartbroken.

“I’m outraged that they can’t prove that it’s not consensual. I mean, he can’t consent at 8 years old. He’s currently scarred for the rest of his life now,” she said.

Officials at Glade Run had the following response to the district attorney’s decision:

”We are appreciative of the diligence of the Butler County DA's office and the outcome of its investigation, which is consistent with our own findings surrounding recent alleged events at Glade Run.”

RELATED CONTENT:

State to close home for troubled children following sex abuse allegations DHS secretary: Sex abuse allegations against Glade Run ‘being taken very seriously’ More parents come forward with sex abuse allegations against home for troubled children Zelienople facility under investigation for alleged sexual abuse among children