Police Investigating Alleged Rape Inside Montgomery County High School
By Jenn Bernstein
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Sources tell Eyewitness News that the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office is investigating an alleged rape that occurred inside of Wissahickon High School.
We're told a 16-year-old student allegedly sexually assaulted a 15-year-old classmate at 2 p.m. inside a school auditorium on April 29th.
Sources say the victim reported the incident and was immediately brought to the school nurse, and then taken to Abington Memorial Hospital, where she was treated.
Wissahickon High School officials did send a short phone alert to parents two days after the incident, which parents tell us stated an incident had occurred and police were involved.
Other than that, parents we talked to off camera outside the school Tuesday said they had only heard talk from their kids about what allegedly occurred in the auditorium.
One mother said she would have liked the school to follow up more after the initial phone alert.
We reached out to School District officials who sent a statement they say was released on May 24th -- almost one month after the alleged assault.
In the statement, Superintendent Judith M. Clark writes:
"Wissahickon School District is aware of the criminal charges that have been filed against one of our high school students, arising from an alleged assault on April 29th, 2013. The District is deeply concerned about the serious nature of this matter and is cooperating with the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office in a manner which is consistent with the School District's policies, procedures, and the law. It is the District's highest priority to ensure the safety and well-being of its entire student body.
Due to the ongoing criminal investigation, confidentiality laws, and sensitive nature of this matter, the School District will not be making any further comments at this time. The School District will continue to provide updates to the school community, as appropriate, to the extent permitted by applicable laws."
Eyewitness News' Jenn Bernstein was able to speak with the victim's parents, who said their daughter's injuries were so severe she underwent surgery at the hospital.
They went on to say that it's unimaginable something as violent as this could happen in a place where children are supposed to be safe.
The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office declined to comment because the suspect is a juvenile.
