Local elementary school employee didn’t report man abusing kids, police say

NORTH APOLLO, Pa. — An Armstrong County elementary school employee and a North Apollo man were arrested Wednesday in connection with a child abuse incident.

Brian Murray, 43, is accused of assaulting two male juveniles, as well as threatening a female juvenile who reported the abuse. He intimidated her with a baseball bat when he asked her to recant her story, police said.

Christine Fedder, 43, who is a mandated reporter because she’s employed at Apollo-Ridge Elementary School, witnessed the abuse and didn’t report it to authorities, police said.

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Murray is facing several charges including strangulation, retaliation of a witness and simple assault. Fedder is charged with failure to report and endangering the welfare of a child.

Channel 11 reached out to the Apollo-Ridge School District for a statement and Superintendent Dr. Matt Curci sent the following to Channel 11:

“Apollo-Ridge School District is aware of the charges against this employee and is taking appropriate action. Because this is a personnel matter and criminal charges are pending, the school district cannot comment further at this time.”

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